White Mouth Cast Iron of Carbonization Compound (M6C)
Introduction
White mouth cast iron is a common form of cast iron and is found in many industries such as the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries. It features a more grained-like appearance and excellent machinability, making it ideal for high-temperature wear and tear applications. White mouth cast iron is composed of over 97% iron, 1-3% carbon, and balance trace elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, and manganese. The carbon content of white mouth cast iron gives it the best wear and tear resistance among the cast iron family, yet still keeping the cast iron’s signature low machining cost and excellent thermodynamic properties.
Recently, the Emerholt Company developed a new form of white mouth cast iron called the carbonization compound M6C. This novel form of white mouth cast iron is made up of over 95% iron and 4-5% carbon. The remaining 0.5-1% of the compound consists of minor elements including sulfur, phosphorus, and manganese. Due to its higher carbon content, the M6C compound produces a stronger, yet more wear-resistant metal part compared to traditional white mouth cast iron. In addition, the M6C process results in the formation of a unique crystal structure, giving the metal greater thermal stability and mechanical strength over the course of its wear and tear applications.
Behavior
When examined under an optical microscope, the M6C compound is composed of a distinct crystal structure known as alpha-iron. Alpha-iron is also known as ferrite and has a body-centered cubic (BCC) unit cell. Its atoms have an octahedral orientation, wherein each iron atom is surrounded by 6 oxygen atoms. Due to its high carbon content, the M6C compound has a very uniform grain size. This uniform grain size gives the metal a distinct white appearance and is why it is called “white mouth” cast iron.
The unique crystal structure of the M6C compound also affects its properties. The BCC structure appears to slow down the atoms which than affect the resistance to shock loading, fatigue and hard wear. This gives the metal part a greater resistance to wear and tear compared to that of traditional white mouth cast iron. In addition, the unique crystal structure helps to create a greater structural integrity, since the particles are more closely bound together. This extra structural integrity helps to further reduce the wear and tear of the metal part compared to its less sophisticated cousins.
Uses
The M6C compound is proving to be extremely useful in many industries due to its wear and tear resistance as well as its thermal stability. In the automotive industry, the M6C compound is being used in the manufacturing of engine components, gearboxes, and other high-stress automotive parts which require extreme thermal stability and wear and tear resistance. In the aerospace industry, the M6C compound is being used in the manufacturing of auxiliary power units (APU) and other critical metals parts. Lastly, the M6C compound is being used in the construction industry in the manufacturing of support beams, stairs, and other heavy-duty structural parts which require superb thermal stability and wear and tear resistance.
Conclusion
The new form of white mouth cast iron known as the M6C compound gives us an optimal wear and tear resistant metal part. Its unique crystal structure allows for a greater degree of thermal stability and mechanical strength, giving it an edge over traditional white mouth cast iron. The M6C compound is proving to be very useful in many industries, including the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries. For these reasons and more, it is certain that the M6C compound will become a popular go-to material for many applications going forward.
