Addition of carbon to cast iron beyond 6.67%

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications and properties of adding carbon to cast iron beyond the 6.67% threshold, focusing on the formation of graphite and its effects on the material's characteristics. Participants explore theoretical and practical aspects of cast iron composition.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the iron compound with the highest carbon content by weight is cementite (Fe3C) at 6.67%, and any additional carbon leads to the formation of graphite flakes.
  • It is proposed that these graphite flakes can reduce the useful properties of cast iron, making it softer and more brittle.
  • One participant mentions the difficulty of producing cast iron with more than 6.67% carbon due to burning and suggests that powder metallurgy could be a method if better materials were not available.
  • Another participant challenges the assertion that there is no advantage to exceeding 6.67% carbon, indicating that the application may dictate the usefulness of higher carbon content.
  • A participant points out that malleable cast iron contains about 2.5% carbon, questioning the relevance of the previous claims regarding higher carbon content.
  • There is a challenge to provide examples of cast iron with greater than 6.67% carbon, suggesting a need for further examination of the phase diagram for iron-carbon alloys.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of adding carbon beyond 6.67%, with some asserting negative effects on properties while others suggest potential applications may justify higher carbon content. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the utility and examples of cast iron with more than 6.67% carbon.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific properties and applications of cast iron, but there are unresolved questions about the practical existence and utility of cast iron compositions exceeding 6.67% carbon. The discussion also highlights the complexity of the iron-carbon phase diagram.

velmurugan
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can anyone please give me the answer for addition of carbon to cast iron beyond 6.67%..
 
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The iron compound with most carbon by weight, 6.67%, is cementite, Fe3C.
Any carbon added beyond that will form flakes of graphite. Those flakes reduce the useful properties of cast iron by making it softer and more brittle.

It is also quite difficult to make cast iron with higher carbon than cementite because it burns. If there were not much better and lower cost materials, it could be formed using powder metallurgy techniques.

There is no advantage in making cast iron with more than 6.67% carbon.
 
Baluncore said:
Any carbon added beyond that will form flakes of graphite. Those flakes reduce the useful properties of cast iron by making it softer and more brittle.
...
There is no advantage in making cast iron with more than 6.67% carbon.

That depends what you want to use it for. I used to pass an iron foundry every day on the way to work, where that was their speciality product.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_iron#Malleable_cast_iron
 
@ AlephZero.
Malleable cast iron has only about 2.5% carbon by weight.

You failed to quote the first line of my post.

I know of no useful cast iron that is composed of only iron carbide with graphite.
Maybe you should examine the phase diagram for Fe – C near the top of the page you link to.
Do you know of any cast iron with greater than 6.67% carbon?
 

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