Abstract: The invention relates to a iron material with graphite flakes, which in a simple manner allows the respective optimal properties to be adjusted for a wide product range by varying the contents of the respective alloy components. For this purpose, cast iron material according to the invention comprises (in % by weight) 3.4 to 4.1% C, 0.9 to 1.4% Si, 0.4 to 0.7% Mn, 0.4 to 0.6% Cu, 0.01 to 0.04% S, 0.003 to 0.007% O2, ?0.04% P and iron and unavoidable impurities as the remainder. In addition, the following may optionally be included singly or in combination 0.15 to 0.45% Mo, 0.005 to 0.02% La, 0.0005 to 0.01% Sr, 0.05 to 0.8% Ni, 0.005 to 0.1% V, 0.05 to 0.15% Sn, 0.05 to 0.08% N and 0.01 to 0.02% Ce. In this case 0.85%?Sc?1.05% applies to the degree of saturation Sc=C %/4.26?0.3*(Si %+P %), and 1.97%?MEG?2.07% applies to the respective quantity % MEG=2.25%?0.2 Si %.

Abstract: In apparatus for picking up a test sample of molten metal or metal alloys and measuring the cooling curve of said sample, comprising a sample receptor and an optical conductor leading from the receptor to a transducer, the receptor is a small, open ended refractory tube having a cavity for receiving the molten sample arranged at the free extremity of a lance with the optical conductor contained within the lance and terminating at the cavity in said receptor and a barrier is disposed between the cavity and the optical conductor, the barrier consisting of a heat resistant, highly thermally conductive material of such quality as to cause the material of the melt sample which is picked up to adhere thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the cooling curve of a test sample of metal or a metal alloy, in particular cast iron or cast steel, for the differential thermal analysis in which the difference of the cooling curve of the test sample of a fixedly given comparative curve which satisfies Newton's law of cooling (U=U.sub.0 .times.e.sup.-t/RC, the U.sub.0 parameter being the maximum value at the point in time t=0 and the RC parameter being the time constant) is formed, said comparative curve being brought to coincidence with a section of the cooling curve of the sample by adjusting its parameters so that the difference can then be formed between the adjusted comparative curve and the cooling curve.