Common Metallurgical

Defects in Ductile Iron

Compacted Graphite

Exploded Graphite

Chunky Graphite

Spiky Graphite

Potential Causes:
Low residual magnesium and/or rare earth from
poor nodularisation practice, high temperatures
or long holding time.
Excess sulphur in the base iron not balanced
by sufficient magnesium.

Potential Causes:
Excess rare earth additions, particularly when high
purity charges are used. Normally found in thick
section castings or at higher carbon equivalents.

Potential Causes:
Excess rare earth additions, particularly when high
purity charges are used. Normally found in thick
section castings or at higher carbon equivalents.

Note that once the rare earth addition is reduced, it may

take time to dilute the residual rare earth in return metal,
particularly in induction melted iron.

Note that once the rare earth addition is reduced, it may

take time to dilute the residual rare earth in return metal,
particularly in induction melted iron.

Potential Causes:
Very small amounts of lead which have not been
neutralised by rare earths result in spiky graphite.
This has a catastrophic effect on mechanical
properties.
Bismuth, titanium and antimony can give similar
structures but can also be neutralised with rare
earths.

Flake Graphite
Surface Structure

Nodule Alignment

Carbides

Potential causes:
High carbon equivalent.
Excess pouring temperature.
Slow cooling rate in thicker sections.
Insufficient inoculation.

Potential causes:
Excess sulphur build-up in moulding sand.
This causes reversion to flake as the magnesium
in the iron reacts with the sulphur. The use of
higher magnesium / rare earth in the nodulariser or
a cerium containing inoculant can overcome this.

Potential causes:
Low carbon equivalent
Under inoculation causing growth of large
dendrites with nodules aligned between
arms of the dendrite.
High pouring temperature.

Potential causes:
Low carbon equivalent.
Excess magnesium and/or rare earth.
Carbide promoting elements such as Mn, Cr, V, Mo.
Insufficient inoculation.
Rapid cooling rate.

Irregular Graphite

Slag Inclusions

Shrinkage

Gas

Potential causes:
High holding temperature.
Long holding time which can result in "dead" irons.
Poor inoculation or excessive fading of inoculation.
Graphite shape may be improved by a late addition
of a powerful speciality inoculant.

Potential causes:
Inadequate slag control from pouring system.
Lack of slag traps or filter.
Low pouring temperature.
Excess additions of slag forming materials.
Turbulent mould filling.

Potential causes:
Insufficient mould strength causing dilation.
Inadequate feed metal available.
Poor gating design.
Excess magnesium.
Low carbon equivalent.
Under inoculation or over inoculation.

Gas holes are a totally separate subject and can be

influenced by melting procedures, metal handling,
refractory conditions, mould moisture, sand permeability,
core resins, hot spots near cores, slag handling, metal
temperature, base metal composition, mould venting,
Ti and Al contents amongst other sources.
Specialist advice should be sought in cases of gas once
the above have been investigated.

Graphite Flotation

The photomicrograph given here shows dendrite arms

growing inside a hydrogen pinhole.

Elkem produces a complete range of nodularisers and inoculants for the treatment
of ductile iron. MgFeSi alloys are available for applications such as sandwich treatments,
tundish cover ladles and flow through systems. They are graded so as to be suited
for different ladle sizes. Products for in-the-mould processes are also available.
Ultraseed inoculant is designed for pure Mg produced ductile iron, irons of low oxygen
and sulphur levels and dead iron which has been held for extended periods of time.
This inoculant will give high nodule counts in ductile iron which is normally difficult to
inoculate and will help to prevent micro-shrinkage.

Preseed is a powerful preconditioning agent for all cast irons to improve consistency in
melting and increase mechanical properties
Please refer to your local Elkem representative for further information on the range
of Elkem products for grey, compacted and ductile cast irons.
Ultraseed is a Registered Trademark of Elkem AS. Preseed is a trademark of Elkem AS.

Elkem AS, Foundry Products Division, Hoffsveien 65 b, P.O. Box 5211 Majorstua, N-0303 Oslo, Norway, www.foundry.elkem.com