Solidification Behavior, Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, Hot Oxidation and Thermal Fatigue Resistance of High Silicon SiMo Nodular Cast Irons

It is well known that 4 to 6% silicon spheroidal irons are suitable for use at high temperature. This paper describes solidification behavior, microstructure, mechanical properties, high temperature oxidation, and thermal fatigue of high silicon SiMo cast irons. Cooling curves of cast irons were recorded using a thermal analysis apparatus to correlate with the solidified microstructures. Uniaxial constrained thermal fatigue testing was conducted in which the cycling temperatures were between 500°C and 950°C. Oxidation behavior was studied by measuring the specimen weight and the penetration depth of oxides from laboratory cyclic oxidation testing. The coefficient of thermal expansion and critical temperature of the phase transformation A1 during heating were determined through dilatometry testing.