Use

The mechanical properties of gray cast iron largely depend on its microstructure. Gray cast iron without inoculation treatment has unstable microstructure, low mechanical properties and white cast iron is easy to appear in the thin wall of the casting. In order to ensure the consistency of casting quality, inoculation treatment is essential [1].
The inoculant used in inoculation treatment of cast iron has little effect on the chemical composition of cast iron, but has a great effect on its microstructure. Therefore, it can improve the mechanical properties of gray cast iron and have an obvious effect on its physical properties. Good inoculation treatment has the following functions:
◆ eliminate or reduce the tendency of white mouth;
◆ avoid undercooling;
◆ reduce the wall thickness sensitivity of iron castings, so that the difference of microstructure and hardness between thin and thick sections of castings is small;
◆ it is conducive to the nucleation of eutectic clusters and increase the number of eutectic clusters;
◆ the graphite in cast iron is mainly fine and evenly distributed type a graphite, so as to improve the mechanical properties of cast iron.
The cast iron with good inoculation has good fluidity, reduced shrinkage, improved machinability and reduced residual stress.