Cast iron destined for spheroidization is usually characterized by a near-eutectic chemical composition, which is a result of the necessity of maintaining its high graphitizing ability. This graphitizing ability depends mainly on the chemical composition but also on the so-called physical-chemical state. This, in turn, depends on the melting process history and the charge structure. It happens quite often, that at very similar chemical compositions cast irons are characterized by different graphitizing abilities. The hereby work concerns searching for the best method of assessing the graphitizing abilities of near-eutectic cast iron. The assessment of the graphitizing ability was performed for cast iron obtained from the metal charge consisting of 100% of special pig iron and for synthetic cast iron obtained from the charge containing 50% of pig iron + 50% of steel. This assessment was carried out by a few methods: wedge tests, thermal analysis, microstructure tests as well as by the new ultrasonic method. The last method is the most sensitive and accurate. On the basis of the distribution of the wave velocity, determined in the rod which one end was cast on the metal plate, it is possible to determine the graphitizing ability of cast iron. The more uniform structure in the rod, in which directional solidification was forced and which had graphite precipitates on the whole length, the higher graphitizing ability of cast iron. The homogeneity of the structure is determined by the indirect ultrasonic method, by measurements of the wave velocity. This new ultrasonic method of assessing the graphitizing ability of cast iron of a high Sc (degree of eutectiveness) and CE (carbon equivalent) content, can be counted among fast technological methods, allowing to assess the cast iron quality during the melting process.

The graphite form in cast iron is the structure parameter deciding on its all physical and mechanical properties. Three basic forms of graphite: flake, vermicular (compact) and nodular (spheroidal) are singled out in standard cast iron grades, without a heat treatment. Standards of individual grades of cast iron the most often allow only the homogeneous graphite form, sometimes with addition of 5÷10% of the other form. The interesting and - in the authors opinion - future-oriented material can constitute cast iron in which various forms of graphite are present, e.g. in comparative amounts: spherical and vermicular cast irons. Cast iron within which graphite occurs in two or three forms was named „Vari-Morph” (VM) cast iron, i.e. the one in which spherical and vermicular or vermicular and flake graphite occur in a wide range of proportions. The results of investigations of these new cast iron grades and their properties are presented in the hereby paper.

Two standardised grades of spheroidal cast iron determined in standard EN PN 1563 – 1997 as: EN-GJS-350 – 22LT (T = –40°C) and EN GJS 400 – 18LT (T = –20°C) are intended for work at low temperatures: –20 and –40oC. The main mechanical property of these cast iron grades is a high impact strength at a work temperature down to: –40°C. A series of controlled melts was performed to optimise the production technology of spheroidal cast iron, which in as-cast state is characterised by ferritic matrix (the best without any pearlite), fine precipitates of nodular graphite and high purity (without non-metallic inclusions). Variable structures of metal charges and various spheroidisation techniques (the modification methods) (slender ladle with a tight cover – Tundish technology as well as the technology with cored wire) were applied in the research. In order to obtain refinement of graphite precipitates and to achieve the ferritic matrix multistage inoculations of technologies were applied. Cast iron was subjected to refining to limit non-metallic inclusions since they decrease the impact strength. The production process of cast iron was controlled by the thermal derivative analysis at the stage of initial cast iron and after its secondary metallurgy (modification and inoculation). It was pointed out, that the reproducible production of cast iron for work at low temperatures was only possible when all elements of the technological process were strictly adhered to. It was pointed out, in the hereby paper, that: it should be strived to maintain Si content not higher than 2.50÷2.60%, which at producing spheroidal cast iron is sometimes difficult and requires using a lot of pig iron in the metal charge. For a fast assessment of the cast iron quality, concerning its impact strength, the proposed – in the hereby paper – index quality (IQu) can be applied. It is determined on the bases of measuring the cast iron hardness and propagation velocity of ultrasound wave.