The paper presents data concerning the total production of castings over the 2000-2014 period, both on a global scale, and in Poland. The

basic types of casting alloys were taken into account. Changes in the production volume and structure over the period of the analysed 15

years were pointed out with respect to countries leading in foundry production. The topmost position in the world foundry industry is held

by China for several years (with almost 45% share in the foundry market), the second place is taken by India (with almost 9% share). A

distinct reduction in the shares of the once significant producers of castings, such as USA, Japan, Germany, Russia, Italy, or France, was

observed over the 2000-2014 period. Poland had a share of 1.16% in 2000, and of 1.02% in 2014. Comparing the detailed data concerning

the years 2000 and 2014, one can see that the fractions of castings made of ductile iron, cast steel, aluminium alloys, or magnesium alloys

increase on a global scale, while such alloys as grey cast iron or malleable are in decline.

The work determined the influence of aluminium in the amount from about 1% to about 7% on the graphite precipitates in cast iron with

relatively high silicon content (3.4% to 3.90%) and low manganese content (about 0.1%). The cast iron was spheroidized with cerium

mixture and graphitized with ferrosilicon. The performed treatment resulted in occurring of compact graphite precipitates, mainly nodular

and vermicular, of various size. The following parameters were determined: the area percentage occupied by graphite, perimeters of

graphite precipitates per unit area, and the number of graphite precipitates per unit area. The examinations were performed by means of

computer image analyser, taking into account four classes of shape factor. It was found that as the aluminium content in cast iron increases

from about 1.1% to about 3.4%, the number of graphite precipitates rises from about 700 to about 1000 per square mm. For higher

Al content (4.2% to 6.8%) this number falls within the range of 1300 – 1500 precipitates/mm2

. The degree of cast iron spheroidization

increases with an increase in aluminium content within the examined range, though when Al content exceeds about 2.8%, the area

occupied by graphite decreases. The average size of graphite precipitates is equal to 11-15 μm in cast iron containing aluminium in the

quantity from about 1.1% to about 3.4%, and for higher Al content it decreases to about 6 μm.

The work determined the influence of aluminium in the amount from about 0.6% to about 8% on graphitization of cast iron with

relatively high silicon content (3.4%-3.9%) and low manganese content (about 0.1%). The cast iron was spheroidized with cerium mixture

and graphitized with ferrosilicon. It was found that the degree of graphitization increases with an increase in aluminium content in cast

iron up to 2.8%, then decreases. Nodular and vermicular graphite precipitates were found after the applied treatment in cast iron containing

aluminium in the amount from about 1.9% to about 8%. The Fe3AlCx carbides, increasing brittleness and deteriorating the machinability of

cast iron, were not found in cast iron containing up to about 6.8% Al. These carbides were revealed only in cast iron containing about 8% Al.

The work presents results of investigations concerning the production of cast iron containing about 5-6% aluminium, with the ferritic

matrix in the as-cast state and nodular or vermicular graphite precipitates. The examined cast iron came from six melts produced under the

laboratory conditions. It contained aluminium in the amount of 5.15% to 6.02% (carbon in the amount of 2.41% to 2.87%, silicon in the

amount of 4.50% to 5.30%, and manganese in the amount of 0.12% to 0.14%). After its treatment with cerium mixture and graphitization

with ferrosilicon (75% Si), only nodular and vermicular graphite precipitates were achieved in the examined cast iron. Moreover, it is

possible to achieve the alloy of pure ferritic matrix, even after the spheroidizing treatment, when both the aluminium and the silicon occur

in cast iron in amounts of about 5.2÷5.3%.