Thermal analysis of indefinite chill cast iron modified with ferrovanadium and ferrotungsten

Melt modification is a method commonly used when enhancing mechanical and microstructural properties of various alloys. The addition of heterogeneous nucleation sites generally refines the given microstructure and enhances the toughness of the material. Ferroalloys based on high-melting elements require a longer incubation time in the melt which makes them liable candidates for modification agents. A research on the effect of melt modification was conducted on an indefinite chill cast iron alloy commonly used for working layers in rolls. The goal of the research was to determine the effect of ferrovanadium and ferrotungsten melt treatment with the use of thermal analysis along with thermodynamic modelling using the CALPHAD approach. The results show a decrease in the measured liquidus temperature of the modified alloy along with a possible second eutectic reaction hidden inside the main graphite/cementite eutectic reaction. Scanning electron microscopy revealed small and evenly distributed MC type carbides rich in V with W and other carbide-forming elements. The results presented in this work enable a better understanding of the impact melt modification has on the development of microstructure and subsequently the improvement in mechanical properties of the alloy.