Compacted Graphite Cast Iron: It is a new group of material produced in recent years ,

which has joined the family of commercially produced cast irons. It lies between flake graphite
and nodular graphite and like each of those group of materials, it is characterised by having a
distinct graphic structure which can be recognised under a microscope.
It requires very tight control of modularizing
alloying
(magnesium
or
cerium).Its
microstructure consist of shortened , thickened
flake with rounded ends . on scanning it is
revealed that the compacted graphite particles are
interconnected in branched structure in little bit
similar way as in flake in grey iron and are not
separated from one another as the spherulite in
nodular irons.(a)

Reasons for choosing CGI:

It is 75% stronger and up to 75% stiffer than grey iron

Five times more fatigue resistant than Al at elevated temperatures
Nodularity and tensile strength increases as well as section decreases
it is lighter in weight as compared to all other alloys

CGI Standards:
CGI material specification are typically based on a set of mechanical properties including tensile
strength , 0.2% yield strength and elongation. CXGI microstructure must be specified in order to
ensure the achievements of expected physical properties. Various internal OEM standards have
been developed for CGI in particular applications, however few independent standards exist. The
most widely accepted of which is , ASTM A-842 , which further offers five grades of CGI,

denoted

by

minimum

tensile

strengths

of

250,

300,400

..

Comparison of mechanical and physical properties: (c)

Properties:

Higher strength and elongation at fracture

Higher fracture toughness
Properties are less dependent on the wall thickness

and

450

Mpa.

(b)

Utilisation Expansion :

High speed rail trains in Europe

Diesel truck engines
Automotive manufacturing
DAF truck of Eindhoven (Netherland)
Caterpillar Engine components , such as modular head
Rolls Royce power engineering

Advantages:(d)

Lower coefficient of thermal expansion

Higher heat conductivity
Lower modulus of elasticity
Lower thermally induced internal stress level
Better thermoshock resistance and lower tendency to distortion
Better damping capacity
Better pouring capacity( shrinkage , mold-filling characteristics and fluidity)

Conclusion:
Considerable progress has been made in the development of compacted graphite cast iron over
the past ten years.The use of CGI in engine parts is just starting , but already shows its potential
for the auto industry. Diesel engine cylinder blocks are the first natural candidates for
development, but still there are several studies in line aiming to cylinder heads and also to
gasoline engine cylinder blocks. The increasing demands for light weight design and for
emissions reduction promise new opportunities for CGI.(e)

References:
a) http://www.academia.edu/3736037/METTALURGY_OF_CAST_IRON
b) www.enginsoft.com/.../iron/K-Compacted%20Graphite%20Iron%20A%.
c) file:///C:/url?
sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw
&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scielo.br%2Fscielo.php%3Fpid%3DS167858782004000100004%26script
%3Dsci_arttext&ei=m54kVa7TK9CcygTK1YDYDg&bvm=bv.90237346,d.b2w&psi
g=AFQjCNEmQwgfU6aiaWboyANf9cK1uBEvrA&ust=1428549634271420
d) www.tupy.com.br/downloads/guesser/product_exp_grafita_auto.pdf
e) www.sintercast.com/.../pdf/.../cgi-a-new-material-for-highly-stressed-cylinder