Abstract: A method for inoculating molten iron. The method comprises passing the molten iron through a filter assembly at an approach velocity of about 1 to about 60 cm/sec. The filter assembly comprises a filter element and an inoculation pellet in contact with the filter element. The pellet has an inoculant dissolution rate of at least 1 mg/sec. to no more than 320 mg/sec. and comprises about 40-99.9%, by weight, carrier comprising ferrosilicon. The pellet further comprises about 0.1-60%, by weight, at least one inoculating agent selected from a group consisting of cerium, strontium, zirconium, calcium, manganese, barium, bismuth, magnesium, titanium and aluminum or from rare earths.

Abstract: A free-cutting tool steel is provided containing Fe and C in an amount of 0.1 to 2.5 wt %, Ti and or Zr where WTi+0.52WZr constitutes 0.03 to 3.5 wt %, and WTi represents Ti content and WZr represents Zr content, at least any one of S, Se and Te where WS+0.4WSe+0.25WTe constitutes 0.01 to 1.0 wt %, and (WTi+0.52WZr)/(WS+0.4WSe+0.25WTe) constitutes 1 to 4, and WS represents S content, WSe represents Se content and WTe represents Te content; and dispersed therein a texture thereof from 0.1 to 10% in terms of area ratio in a section of a machinability improving compound phase of a metallic element component of Ti and/or Zr as major components, and a binding component for the metallic element component containing C and any one of S, Se and Te.

Abstract: A method of liquid iron production using high sulfur fuels is provided in which the level of sulfur in the iron is maintained below 0.1%. The low sulfur content is achieved even in the presence of high sulfur concentrations in the reducing gases and without the introduction of lime or limestone. According to one aspect, liquid iron in the fusion zone of a smelting system is saturated with carbon, thereby desulfurizing the liquid iron. The carbon saturation level is at least 4.5% carbon by weight and preferably, at least 5.0% carbon by weight. According to another aspect, the desulfurization of the liquid iron is enhanced by elevating the tapping temperatures to temperatures in excess of 1465° C., and preferably of about 1490° C. According to another aspect, the desulfurization process is supplemented by the presence of significant levels of silicon and/or manganese, both of which are highly soluble in the liquid iron.

Abstract: A camshaft made of cast iron containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Bi, Te, Se, As, Sb and Sn in a total amount of 0.0001 to 0.1 weight %, preferably, 0.001 to 0.1 weight %. The cast iron may further contain at least one elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Cu and Co in an amount of 0.2 to 5.0 weight %. Furthermore, in the camshaft of the present invention, a carbide area ratio at the sliding surface of the cam lobe portion is not less than 40%, the chilled carbide has an average grain diameter of not more than 15 .mu.m, and the sliding surface of the cam lobe portion has a hardness of not less than HRC 53.

Abstract: In measuring a cooling curve by means of thermal analysis of cast iron, a compressed powder moulding or sintered moulding of tellurium, bismuth, boron, zinc and/or aluminum is fixed to the inner surface of a cooling curve measuring cup, and a melt is poured into said cup when primaly crystalized and eutectic temperatures based on the metastable solidification of iron, cementite and silicon cleary appear. This method allows the carbon equivalent, carbon content and silicon content of the cast iron to be determined and the physical and mechanical properties of the iron to be estimated. Additionally, said compressed metallic powder moulding or sintered moulding is arranged at and fixed to said cooling curve measuring cup used in the method, while enclosing a thermocouple.

Abstract: During production of ductile cast iron, controlling and correcting the composition of the cast iron melt, including extracting a sample from the melt, the mother melt, and adding an amount of an oxide, a sulphite or an oxy-sulphide with the ability to oxidize an amount of the modifying agent present in the sample and corresponding to the fading rate expected to occur during the casting process as a whole. The sample is permitted to solidify in a sample vessel equipped with two thermocouples, one in the center of the sample vessel and the other in the vicinity of the sample vessel wall. The temperature and time are recorded during the process of solidification in a manner known per se and nodularity is calculated. If the amount of modifying agent is too low to secure a fully nodular graphite throughout the whole casting period, an appropriate amount of modifying agent is added.

Abstract: A melt sample is taken in a sampling vessel which is in thermic equilibrium with the sample quantity prior to solidification commencing, the sampling vessel having been provided with at least one thermoelement and containing a determined and calibrated quantity of inoculating agent based on FeSi and sufficient to produce a maximum inoculating effect. The sample melt is allowed to solidify while temperature changes per unit of time are recorded. The difference between the minimum temperature in the undercooling phase, the maximum temperature in the eutectic reaction phase, and the eutectic equilibrium temperature T.sub.e, are determined. To the base melt are added thermodynamically stable particles of the type spinels, oxides or oxysulphides of elements such as magnesium, aluminium, potassium, zirconium, strontium, titanium and rare earth metals when the difference between eutectic equilibrium temperature T.sub.e and the minimum temperature in the undercooling phase exceeds 10.degree. K.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of cast iron containing vermicular graphite is described, in which nodular cast iron (GGG) is used as a starting melt. The GGG melt can be produced in a converter in a precise and reproducible way, whereby the sulphur and oxygen contents of the GGG melt are limited within narrow ranges. Additional sulphur is added to the GGG melt in an amount determined by an empirical formula depending on the magnesium and sulphur contents of the GGG melt to produce cast iron containing vermicular graphite (GGV). The GGV is produced by the present process with precision and in a reproducible manner.