A Comparison of Selected Methods of Graphitizing Inoculation Applied after the Spheroidizing Treatment

The work compares the effectiveness of selected methods of graphitizing inoculation applied after the spheroidization in the slender tundish ladle of 1 Mg capacity. The inoculation was carried out according to the three various options. The first one was performed simply by means of the block of inoculant inserted in the gating system of the mould, the second one started with initial inoculation by the in-stream method during the transfer of metal from the slender ladle to the pouring ladle and was completed with the secondary modification by means of the inoculant insert placed in the mould, the third one consisted in similar initial inoculation by the in-stream method during the transfer of metal from the slender ladle to the pouring ladle followed by the secondary inoculation, again by the in-stream method, applied during the pouring operation. Examination of cast iron structure allowed to find that the best results of inoculation are achieved in the case of inoculation carried out according to the Option III, though in all cases it was possible to produce cast iron of EN-GJS-400-15 grade meeting the demands of the Standard.