The paper analyses the as-cast state structure of chromium cast iron designed for operation under harsh impact-abrasive conditions. In the process of chromium iron castings manufacture, very strong influence on the structure of this material have the parameters of the technological process. Among others, adding to the Fe-Cr-C alloy the alloying elements like tungsten and titanium leads to the formation of additional carbides in the structure of this cast iron, which may favourably affect the casting properties, including the resistance to abrasive wear.

The growth kinetics of the zinc coating formed on the surface of casting made from ductile iron grade EN-GJS-500-3 was investigated. To produce homogenous metal matrix in test samples, the normalising and ferritising annealing was carried out. Studies showed a heterogeneous structure of cast iron with varying content of the phases formed. This was followed by hot dip galvanising treatment at 450°C to capture the growth kinetics of the zinc coating (the time of the treatment ranged from 60 to 600 seconds). Nonlinear estimation of the determined growth kinetics of the alloyed layer of a zinc coating was made and an equation of the zinc coating growth was derived. Based on the results of the investigations it was concluded that thickness of the zinc coating formed on the surface of casting with a 100% pearlitic matrix makes 55% of the thickness of coating formed on the surface in 100% ferritic.

Studies were conducted on a zinc coating produced on the surface of ductile iron grade EN-GJS-500-7 to determine the eutectic grain

effect. For this purpose, castings with a wall thickness of 5 to 30 mm were made and the resulting structure was examined. To obtain a

homogeneous metal matrix, samples were subjected to a ferritising annealing treatment. To enlarge the reaction surface, the top layer was

removed from casting by machining. Then hot dip galvanising treatment was performed at 450°C to capture the kinetics of growth of the

zinc coating (in the period from 60 to 600 seconds). Analysing the test results it was found that within the same time of hot dip

galvanising, the differences in the resulting zinc coating thickness on samples taken from castings with different wall cross-sections were

small but could, particularly for shorter times of treatment, reduce the continuity of the alloyed layer of the zinc coating.

The paper presents the results of investigations of the growth of protective coating on the surface of ductile iron casting during the hot-dip

galvanizing treatment. Ductile iron of the EN-GJS-600-3 grade was melted and two moulds made by different technologies were poured to

obtain castings with different surface roughness parameters. After the determination of surface roughness, the hot-dip galvanizing

treatment was carried out. Based on the results of investigations, the effect of casting surface roughness on the kinetics of the zinc coating

growth was evaluated. It was found that surface roughness exerts an important effect on the thickness of produced zinc coating

The article presents results of heat treatment on the high chromium cast iron. The study was carrying out on samples cut from the casting

made from chromium cast iron. Those were hardened at different temperatures, then tempered and soft annealed. The heat treatment was

performed in a laboratory chamber furnace in the Department of Engineering Alloys and Composites at Faculty of Foundry Engineering

AGH. At each stage of the heat treatment the hardness was measured by Vickers and Rockwell methods, and the microscope images were

done. Additionally based on images from the optical microscope the microstructure was assessed. Based on these results, the effect of

hardening, tempering and soft annealing on the microstructure and hardness of high chromium cast iron was studied. Next the effects of

different hardening temperatures on the properties of high chromium cast iron were compared. The study led to systemize the literature

data of the parameters of heat treatment of high chromium cast iron, and optimal conditions for heat treatment was proposed for casts of

similar properties and parameters.

The resistance of cast iron to abrasive wear depends on the metal abrasive hardness ratio. For example, hardness of the structural

constituents of the cast iron metal matrix is lower than the hardness of ordinary silica sand. Also cementite, the basic component of

unalloyed white cast iron, has hardness lower than the hardness of silica. Some resistance to the abrasive effect of the aforementioned

silica sand can provide the chromium white cast iron containing in its structure a large amount of (Cr, Fe)7C3 carbides characterised by

hardness higher than the hardness of the silica sand in question. In the present study, it has been anticipated that the white cast iron

structure will be changed by changing the type of metal matrix and the type of carbides present in this matrix, which will greatly expand

the application area of castings under the harsh operating conditions of abrasive wear. Moreover, the study compares the results of

abrasive wear resistance tests performed on the examined types of cast iron. Tests of abrasive wear resistance were carried out on a Miller

machine. Samples of standard dimensions were exposed to abrasion in a double to-and-fro movement, sliding against the bottom of

a trough filled with an aqueous abrasive mixture containing SiC + distilled water. The obtained results of changes in the sample weight

were approximated with a power curve and shown further in the study.

The paper presents results of Ti-addition to High Chromium Cast Iron (HCCI) on the structure and selected mechanical properties. For this

study casted two sets of cylinders with dimensions ø20 mm, ø15 mm x 250 mm, for the High Chromium Cast Iron (HCCI) and with the

4% by mass Ti-addition. Melts were performed in the induction furnace crucible capacity of 15 kg. During the heats the cup with installed

S type thermocouple was poured to record the cooling curves. The cylinders were subjected to the static bending strength test. Samples for

the test microstructure and Rockwell hardness were cut from the cylinders. The study shows that the addition of titanium had an impact on

the structure and thus the properties of High Chromium Cast Iron (HCCI). In subsequent studies, through an appropriate choice of

chemical composition and proper process control, it is planned to obtain in the structure the titanium carbides TiC and chromium carbides

with type (Cr, Fe)7C3.

This study presents an analysis of aluminium cast iron structure (as-cast condition) which are used in high temperatures. While producing casts of aluminium iron, the major influence has been to preserve the structure of the technological process parameters. The addition of V, Ti, Cr to an Fe-C-Al alloy leads to the improvement of functional and mechanical cast qualities. In this study, a method was investigated to eliminate the presence of undesirable Al4C3 phases in an aluminium cast iron structure and thereby improve the production process. V and Ti additions to aluminium cast iron allow the development of FeAl - VC or TiC alloys. In particular, V or Ti contents above 5 wt.% were found to totally eliminate the presence of Al4C3. In addition, preliminary work indicates that the alloy with the FeAl - VC or TiC structure reveals high oxidation resistance. The introduction of 5 wt.% chromium to aluminium cast iron strengthened the Al4C3 precipitate. Thus, the resultant alloy can be considered an intermetallic FeAl matrix strengthened by VC and TiC or modified Al4C3 reinforcements.

The article presents the method to assess the diffusion coefficient D in the sub-layer of intermetallic phases formed during hot-dip

galvanizing “Armco” iron and ductile cast iron EN-GJS-500-7. Hot-dip galvanizing is one of the most popular forms of long-term

protection of Fe-C alloys against corrosion. The process for producing a protective layer of sufficient quality is closely related to diffusion

of atoms of zinc and iron. The simulation consist in performed a hot-dip galvanizing in laboratory condition above Fe-C alloys, in the

Department of Engineering of Cast Alloys and Composites. Galvanizing time ranged from 15 to 300 seconds. Then metallographic

specimens were prepared, intermetallic layers were measured and diffusion coefficient (D) were calculated. It was found that the diffusion

coefficient obtained during hot-dip galvanizing “Armco” iron and zinc is about two orders of magnitude less than the coefficient obtained

on ductile cast iron EN-GJS-500-7.

The results of studies on the use of magnesium alloy in modern Tundish + Cored Wire injection method for production of vermicular graphite cast irons were described. The injection of Mg Cored Wire length is a treatment method which can be used to process iron melted in an electric induction furnace. This paper describes the results of using a high-magnesium ferrosilicon alloy in cored wire for the production of vermicular graphite cast irons at the; Tundish + Cored Wire to be injected methods (PE) for pearlitic-ferritic matrix GJV with about 25 %ferrite content. The results of calculations and experiments have indicated the length of the Cored Wire to be injected basing on the initial sulfur content and weight of the treated melt. The paper presents a microstructure matrix and vermicular graphite in standard sample and different walled castings. The results of numerous trials have shown that the magnesium Tundish + PE Method process can produce high quality vermicular graphite irons under the specific industrial conditions of the above mentioned foundries.

The present investigation focuses on the study of the influence of titanium inoculation on tribological properties of High Chromium Cast Iron. Studies of tribological properties of High Chromium Cast Iron, in particularly the wear resistance are important because of the special application of this material. High Chromium Cast Iron is widely used for parts that require high wear resistance for example the slurry pumps, brick dies, several pieces of mine drilling equipment, rock machining equipment, and similar ones. Presented research described the effects of various amounts of Fe-Ti as an inoculant for wear resistance. The results of wear resistance were collated with microstructural analysis. The melts were conducted in industrial conditions. The inoculation was carried out on the stream of liquid metal. The following amount of inoculants have been used; 0.17% Fe-Ti, 0.33% Fe-Ti and 0.66% Fe-Ti. The tests were performed on the machine type MAN. The assessment of wear resistance was made on the basis of the weight loss. The experimental results indicate that inoculation improve the wear resistance. In every sample after inoculation the wear resistance was at least 20% higher than the reference sample. The best result, thus the smallest wear loss was achieved for inoculation by 0.66% Fe-Ti. There is the correlation between the changing in microstructure and wear resistance. With greater amount of titanium the microstructure is finer. More fine carbides do not crumbling so quickly from the matrix, improving the wear resistance.

The results of studies on the use of magnesium alloy in modern Tundish for production of vermicular graphite cast irons were described. This paper describes the results of using a low-magnesium ferrosilicon alloy for the production of vermicular graphite cast irons. The paper presents a vermicular (and nodular) graphite in different walled castings. The results of trials have shown that the magnesium Tundish process can produce high quality vermicular graphite irons under the specific industrial conditions of Foundries - Odlewnie Polskie S.A. in Starachowice. In this work describes too preliminary studies on the oxygen state in cast iron and their effect on graphite crystallization.

The present work, presented the study of effect of different inoculants on impact toughness in High Chromium Cast Iron. The molds were

pouring in industrial conditions and samples were tested in laboratory in Faculty of Foundry Engineering at AGH. Seven samples were tested

- one reference sample, three with different addition of Fe-Ti, and three with different addition of Al. The samples were subjected to impact

toughness on Charpy hammer and the hardness test. The presented investigations indicate that for the each inoculant there is an optimal

addition at which the sample obtained the highest value of impact toughness. For the Fe-Ti it is 0.66% and for Al is 0.17%. Of all the

examined inoculants best results were obtained at a dose of 0.66% Fe-Ti. Titanium is a well-known as a good modifier but very interesting

results gives the aluminum. Comparing the results obtained for the Fe-Ti and Al can be seen that in the case of aluminum hardness is more

stable. The hardness of all samples is around 40-45 HRC, which is not high for this type of cast iron. Therefore, in future studies it is

planned to carry out the heat treatment procedure that may improves hardness.

The paper presents results of the possibility of adapting the Althoff-Radtke test for High Chromium Cast Iron. The Althoff-Radtke test is a

clump attempt used for steel. The Althoff-Radtke test has four different lengths of clamp which qualifies it as a test to quantitatively take

into account different kinds of shrinkage ΔL. The length of the slot of the cracked corner and the length of each staple (50 - 350 mm) are

the parameters tendency to cast cracks. Castings of white cast iron have a high tendency to hot cracking due to the large range of

solidification temperatures, unfavorable kinetics parameters of shrinkage, and especially a lack of expansion before shrinkage. Shrinkage

of high chromium white cast iron is similar to the shrinkage of cast steel, and is approximately 2%. Therefore it is important to test

susceptibility to hot cracks. Research was carried out under industrial conditions. Four melts were performed, one of the initial chemical

composition and the other three modified by different amounts of Fe-Ti, respectively, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% Fe-Ti. The propensity for

hot cracking was based on the observation of the dark surface in the corner of the sample. The study shows that the Althoff-Radtke test can

be adapted to determine the tendency for hot cracking of high chromium cast iron. It should however be noted that the test results cannot be

compared with those for other alloys.