Addition of carbon to cast iron beyond 6.67%

In summary, cast iron with a carbon content beyond 6.67% will result in the formation of graphite flakes, reducing its useful properties and making it softer and more brittle. It is difficult to produce cast iron with a higher carbon content due to the risk of burning, but it can be achieved through powder metallurgy techniques. However, there is no advantage in using cast iron with more than 6.67% carbon. Malleable cast iron, which has a carbon content of about 2.5%, is a common product in iron foundries. It is not possible to create a useful cast iron with only iron carbide and graphite, as shown in the phase diagram for Fe-C. There are no known examples of cast iron
  • #1
velmurugan
1
0
can anyone please give me the answer for addition of carbon to cast iron beyond 6.67%..
 
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  • #2
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.
 
  • #3
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
 
  • #4
@ 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?
 
  • #5


Adding carbon to cast iron beyond 6.67% can significantly change the properties of the material. Cast iron with higher levels of carbon, also known as high-carbon cast iron, is more brittle and less ductile compared to lower carbon content cast iron. This can make it more difficult to work with and may result in cracks or fractures during the casting process.

Furthermore, high levels of carbon can also lead to an increase in hardness, making the cast iron more prone to wear and tear. This can be a disadvantage in certain applications where the material is subjected to high stress or impact.

In addition, high-carbon cast iron may also have a lower melting point, which can affect the casting process and result in lower quality products.

Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the amount of carbon added to cast iron in order to achieve the desired properties for a specific application. It is recommended to consult with a metallurgist or conduct thorough testing before adding carbon beyond 6.67% to cast iron.
 

1. What happens when carbon is added to cast iron beyond 6.67%?

When carbon is added to cast iron beyond 6.67%, the resulting material is known as white cast iron. This type of cast iron is extremely hard and brittle, making it unsuitable for most industrial applications.

2. Can the carbon content in cast iron be increased beyond 6.67%?

Technically, yes, the carbon content in cast iron can be increased beyond 6.67%. However, this will result in the formation of white cast iron, which is not suitable for most industrial applications due to its brittleness.

3. Why is 6.67% considered the upper limit for carbon in cast iron?

This is because at this level of carbon, the cast iron has a good balance of strength, ductility, and machinability. Any further increase in carbon content would result in the formation of white cast iron, which is unsuitable for most industrial applications.

4. How does the addition of carbon affect the properties of cast iron?

The addition of carbon to cast iron increases its strength and hardness, but decreases its ductility and impact resistance. It also makes the cast iron more prone to cracking during casting and cooling.

5. Are there any benefits to adding carbon beyond 6.67% in cast iron?

In general, there are no significant benefits to adding carbon beyond 6.67% in cast iron. However, in certain specialized applications, such as in the production of wear-resistant parts, a higher carbon content may be desirable. However, this would require careful control of the casting process to prevent the formation of white cast iron.

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