The present work was undertaken in hypereutectic ductile irons, to simultaneously study cooling curves, specimen contraction curves, microstructures and shrinkage tendencies as a function of inoculant selection and mould rigidity. Specific equipment was developed for simultaneous recording of cooling and contraction curves. The highest level of both concentrated and total shrinkage was recorded on the green sand mould system, where a much higher level of the initial eutectic expansion was observed, as compared to furan resin moulds. It was found that the Ca, Ce, S, O-FeSi inoculation gives the highest nodule count and a unique wide distribution of nodules sizes (large and small size nodules, in a peculiar ratio), as well as lower tendency to shrinkage formation. Also, the strongest graphitising effect before the start of eutectic solidification and more prolonged graphitising throughout the end of eutectic freezing characterise were observed with this complex inoculant system in addition to its peculiar action on minimising the shrinkage tendency of ductile irons.
