Corrosion resistance of SiMo- and SiCu-types of nodular cast iron in NaCl solution

Nodular cast irons are used in a wide range of industrial applications, especially in the automotive industry. SiMo-type of nodular cast iron is suitable for high-temperature applications, for example the exhaust manifolds of the combustion engines; SiCu-type of nodular cast iron is used in various components of tribotechnical units. These automotive components often work in a corrosive environment. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to compare the corrosion resistance of two types of the nodular cast irons (SiMo-type and SiCu-type). Corrosion resistance was determined by the exposure immersion test at ambient temperature. Specimens of both types of nodular cast iron were immersed in 3.5 % NaCl solution (to simulate sea water) and gradually removed from the solution after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Subsequently, the weight loss (g) and the average corrosion rate (g m-2 day-1) were calculated. Experimental results show that nodular cast iron alloyed by Si and Mo has higher corrosion resistance than the nodular cast iron alloyed with Si and Cu. Moreover, the mechanical properties (evaluated by tensile test, impact bending test and hardness test) and fatigue properties of both types of nodular cast iron has been compared in the paper.