Spheroidal graphite cast irons

After a brief review of the conditions under which spheroidal graphite cast irons are produced, we present the unique combination of properties of this material, enabling you to make a safe and economical choice of material for use in a wide range of industrial applications: mechanical engineering, civil engineering, transport, and so on.

The technologies used for destructible molds make it possible to combine numerous functions in a part with complex shapes, while respecting the corrosive atmospheres and temperatures imposed on the system integrating this part.

Designing a part for optimum cost effectiveness involves a number of factors:

• the necessary resistance,

• the cost of machining,

• cooling speed,

• simplicity of design,

• a healthy, pressure-tight part due to volume expansion, and directional solidification that limits the need for trimming.

Many cast or forged steel parts can be converted into spheroidal graphite cast iron. The many applications for these cast irons are based on their ductility, but their most appreciated advantages are their high modulus of elasticity and mechanical strength, enabling them to withstand heavy loads with little deformation. The production of spheroidal graphite cast irons requires careful metallurgy: the use of impurity-free metallic fillers and close control of the production process.

This article presents the mechanical and physical characteristics of the most common grades of spheroidal graphite cast iron.

A glossary of terms is provided at the end of the article.