Effect of Wall Thickness on the Casting Mechanical Properties of Eutectic Gray Cast Iron
Introduction
Gray cast iron is a major engineering material used in many industries and applications. It is known for its good machinability, casting and wear resistance. The major mechanical benefit of gray cast iron is its high melting temperature, which is a result of the presence of graphite flakes. In addition, the toughness and ductility of gray cast iron is higher than other cast materials. However, the eutectic gray cast iron has even better properties, due to the presence of eutectic carbides and other phase transitions. The wall thickness has an important influence on the casting mechanical properties of eutectic gray cast iron. This paper aims to examine the casting mechanical properties of eutectic gray cast iron and the effect of wall thickness on them.
Material and Methods
Four different compositions of eutectic gray cast iron were used, with varying carbon and silicon contents. The wall thicknesses of the castings were varied between 5mm and 30mm. The specimens were then heat treated and tested for mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, and yield strength.
Results and Discussion
The results indicate that the mechanical properties of the eutectic gray cast iron depend on both the composition and the wall thickness of the casting. The hardness of the castings increases with increasing carbon and silicon content, while it decreases with increasing wall thickness. Similarly, the tensile strength and yield strength were found to increase with increasing carbon and silicon contents and decrease with increasing wall thickness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it has been found that the mechanical properties of eutectic gray cast iron depend on both the composition and the wall thickness of the casting. The hardness and tensile and yield strength properties increase with increasing carbon and silicon content and decrease with increasing wall thickness. It is therefore important to maintain the correct wall thickness for eutectic gray cast iron in order to maximize its properties.
