The article presents crystallization process of silicon molybdenum ductile cast iron (SiMo). The alloy with 5% silicon content and with

variable amounts of Mo in a range of 0-1% was chosen for the research. The carbon content in the analysed alloys did not exceed 3,1%.

The studies of crystallization process were based on thermal – derivative analysis (TDA). Chemical composition of all examined samples

was analysed with the use of LECO spectrometer. Additionally, the carbon and the sulphur content was determined basing on carbon and

sulphur LECO analyser. For metallographic examination, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS analyser was used. Disclosed

phases have been also tested with the use of X-ray diffraction. The results allowed the description of crystallization processes of silicon

molybdenum ductile cast iron using thermal – derivative analysis (TDA). Conducted studies did not allow for the clear identification of all

complex phases containing molybdenum, occurring at the grain boundaries. Therefore, the further stages of the research could include the

use of a transmission electron microscope to specify the description of complex compounds present in the alloy.

The paper presents an analysis of a selected grade of high silicon cast iron intended for work in corrosive and abrasive conditions. The text describes its microstructure taking into account the process of crystallization, TDA analysis, EDS, XRD and the chemical composition analysis. In order to determine the phase composition, X-ray diffraction tests were carried out. The tests were executed on a Panalytical X'Pert PRO X-ray diffractometer with filtration of radiation from a lamp with copper anode and PIXcel 3D detector on the deflected beam axis. Completed tests allowed to describe the microstructure with detailed consideration of intermetallic phases present in the alloy. Results of the analysis of the examined alloy clearly show that we deal with intermetallic phases of Fe3Si, Fe5Si3 types, as well as silicon ferrite and crystals of silicon. In the examined alloy, we observed the phenomenon of segregation of carbon, which, as a result of this process, enriches the surface of silicon crystals, not creating a compound with it. Moreover, the paper demonstrates capability for crystallization of spheroidal graphite in the examined alloy despite lack of elements that contribute to balling in the charge materials.

Silicon – molybdenum cast iron commonly called SiMo due to its unique properties has becoming more and more interesting engineering material. The history and development of this alloy is relatively long but, due to the significant difficulties during the manufacturing process resulting in the lower final quality than expected, it has not been applied to often in practice. The biggest challenge is its brittleness as a result of the carbides precipitations. During last few years, thanks to the many important researches made and the general foundry technology development, the interest in SiMo iron has been rapidly growing, especially for the castings for heavy duty applications like corrosion, high temperature and wear abrasion resistant parts. In the article the heat treatment attempts to improve the microstructure of SiMo castings has been presented. The goal was to destroy or at least to refine and uniformly distribute the carbides precipitations to improve mechanical properties of the exhaust manifold castings for the cars. The experiments were carried out for the alloy contains approx. 4% Si, 1% Mo and 3.2%C. The range of the research included: hardness measuring, standard mechanical properties and microstructure for as-cast state and after that the subsequent heat treatment process with another properties check. The result of the heat treatment was the elimination of pearlite from the metal matrix. Moreover, the changes of the carbide molybdenum – rich phase morphology were observed. The dispersion of the carbides precipitations in the carbides area was observed. The experiments proved the possibility to control the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the SiMo castings by means of heat treatment but only to some extent.

The article presents results of pitting corrosion studies of selected silicon cast irons. The range of studies included low, medium and high

silicon cast iron. The amount of alloying addition (Si) in examined cast irons was between 5 to 25 %. Experimental melts of silicon cast

irons [1-3] were conducted in Department of Foundry of Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice and pitting corrosion resistance

tests were performed in Faculty of Biomedical Engineering in Department of Biomaterials and Medical Devices Engineering of Silesian

University of Technology in Zabrze. In tests of corrosion resistance the potentiostat VoltaLab PGP201 was used. Results obtained in those

research complement the knowledge about the corrosion resistance of iron alloys with carbon containing Si alloying addition above 17 %

[4-6]. Obtained results were supplemented with metallographic examinations using scanning electron microscopy. The analysis of

chemical composition for cast irons using Leco spectrometer was done and the content of alloying element (silicon) was also determined

using the gravimetric method in the laboratory of the Institute of Welding in Gliwice. The compounds of microstructure were identify by

X-ray diffraction.

The paper presents the research results of horizontal continuous casting of ingots of aluminium alloy containing 2% wt. silicon (AlSi2).

Together with the casting velocity (velocity of ingot movement) we considered the influence of electromagnetic stirring in the area of the

continuous casting mould on refinement of the ingot’s primary structure and their selected mechanical properties, i.e. tensile strength, yield

strength, hardness and elongation. The effect of primary structure refinement and mechanical properties obtained by electromagnetic

stirring was compared with refinement obtained by using traditional inoculation, which consists in introducing additives, i.e. Ti, B and Sr,

to the metal bath. On the basis of the obtained results we confirmed that inoculation done by electromagnetic stirring in the range of the

continuous casting mould guarantees improved mechanical properties and also decreases the negative influence of casting velocity, thus

increasing the structure of AlSi2 continuous ingots.

In paper is presented results of studies concerning ingot of Al with a purity of 99.5% cast with use of stand of horizontal continuous

casting. Mainly together with casting velocity was considered influence of electromagnetic stirrer, which was placed in continuous casting

mould on refinement of ingots structure and theirs usability to plastic deformation. Effect of structure refinement and usability to plastic

deformation obtained by influence of electromagnetic stirring was compared with refinement obtained by use of traditional inoculation,

which consists in introducing of additives i.e. Ti and B to metal bath. On the basis of obtained results was affirmed that inoculation

realized by electromagnetic stirring in range of continuous casting mould guarantees improvement in structure refinement and usability to

rolling of pure Al continuous ingots.

In paper is presented idea of construction and influence of selected parts of stand of horizontal continuous casting on quality of pure Al and AlSi2

alloy ingots. The main parts of the made stand belong to induction furnace, which is also tundish, water cooled continuous casting mould, system

of recooling, system of continuous ingot drawing and cutting. Mainly was considered influence of electromagnetic stirrer, which was placed

in continuous casting mould on refinement of ingots structure. Effect of structure refinement obtained by influence of electromagnetic stirring was

compared with refinement obtained by use of traditional inoculation, which consists in introducing of additives i.e. Ti and B to metal bath. The

results of studies show possibility of effective refinement of Al and AlSi2 alloy primary structure, only with use of horizontal electromagnetic field

and without necessity of application of inoculants. This method of inoculation is important, because inoculants decrease the degree of purity

and electrical conductivity of pure aluminum and moreover are reason of point cracks formation during rolling of ingots.