On the Nucleation and Inoculation of Metals

Latent heat during recalesence and nucleation and post-recalesence temperature was analysed for refractory metals. An effect on latent heat was found by alloying the pure elements with other refractories. Latent heat was found to be 15-65% of tabulated values. Interface energy was evaluated from undercooling experiments. It was found that the dimensionless numbers β (σLs/ σLv) and α can be used to classify elements into distinctive groups and crystallographic structure. The phase diagrams for Al-Ti, Al-Ti-B and Al-Ti-C as well as inoculation were analysed. It was found that Al nucleates on Al3Ti which nucleates on TiB2. TiC was found to decompose into Al4C3 and Al3Ti. The inoculation of nodular cast iron with Mg, Ce; Ca and the formation of sulphides and oxides was analysed. The formation of new inclusions during the solidification as well as the formation of graphite is discussed.
QC 20100602