The work determined the influence of aluminium in the amount from about 0.6% to about 8% on graphitization of cast iron with relatively high silicon content (3.4%-3.9%) and low manganese content (about 0.1%). The cast iron was spheroidized with cerium mixture and graphitized with ferrosilicon. It was found that the degree of graphitization increases with an increase in aluminium content in cast iron up to 2.8%, then decreases. Nodular and vermicular graphite precipitates were found after the applied treatment in cast iron containing aluminium in the amount from about 1.9% to about 8%. The Fe3AlCx carbides, increasing brittleness and deteriorating the machinability of cast iron, were not found in cast iron containing up to about 6.8% Al. These carbides were revealed only in cast iron containing about 8% Al.

The influence of aluminium added in amounts of about 1.6%, 2.1%, or 2.8% on the effectiveness of cast iron spheroidization with magnesium was determined. The cast iron was melted and treated with FeSiMg7 master alloy under industrial conditions. The metallographic examinations were performed for the separately cast rods of 20 mm diameter. They included the assessment of the shape of graphite precipitates and of the matrix structure. The results allowed to state that the despheroidizing influence of aluminium (introduced in the above mentioned quantities) is the stronger, the higher is the aluminium content in the alloy. The results of examinations carried out by means of a computer image analyser enabled the quantitative assessment of the considered aluminium addition influence. It was found that the despheroidizing influence of aluminium (up to about 2.8%) yields the crystallization of either the deformed nodular graphite precipitates or vermicular graphite precipitates. None of the examined specimens, however, contained the flake graphite precipitates. The results of examinations confirmed the already known opinion that aluminium widens the range of ferrite crystallization.

The work compares the abrasive wear resistance of cast iron containing vermicular graphite, measured in the as-cast state and after austempering carried out at 290• C, 340• C, or 390• C. The examinations were performed by means of the T-01M tribological tester using the pin-on-disc configuration. Specimens used for examinations were taken from the end tabs of the tensile specimens, these being cut out of the test walls of the double-leg keel block test castings. Examinations proved that the austempering process increases the abrasive wear resistance of vermicular cast iron by several times as compared with the as-cast material. A tendency for a slight decrease in abrasive wear with an increase in austempering temperature can be stated. The coefficient of friction took a little higher values for cast iron after thermal treatment than for the as-cast material. The work was completed with roughness examination by means of electron scanning microscopy.Keywords: cast iron, vermicular graphite, austempering, abrasive wear resistance W pracy porównano odporność na ścieranie żeliwa z grafitem wermikularnym w stanie lanym oraz po hartowaniu izotermicznym przeprowadzonym w temperaturach 290• C, 340• C i 390 • C. Badania odporności na ścieranie przeprowadzono przy użyciu zestawu trybologicznego T-01M typu trzpień-tarcza. Próbki do badań pochodziły z próbek wytrzymałościowych wyciętych ze ścianek badawczych wlewków próbnych w kształcie odwróconej litery "U". Badania wykazały, że poddanie żeliwa wermikularnego hartowaniu izotermicznemu prowadzi do kilkukrotnego wzrostu odporności tworzywa na ścieranie w porównaniu z żeliwem w stanie lanym. Zaobserwowano niewielki spadek zużycia wraz ze wzrostem temperatury hartowania. Współczynnik tarcia dla żeliwa po obróbce cieplej przybrał nieco większe wartości aniżeli w przypadku żeliwa w stanie lanym. W ramach pracy wykonano także badania chropowatości z wykorzystaniem mikroskopii skaningowej.

The work presents results of investigations concerning the production of cast iron containing about 5-6% aluminium, with the ferritic matrix in the as-cast state and nodular or vermicular graphite precipitates. The examined cast iron came from six melts produced under the laboratory conditions. It contained aluminium in the amount of 5.15% to 6.02% (carbon in the amount of 2.41% to 2.87%, silicon in the amount of 4.50% to 5.30%, and manganese in the amount of 0.12% to 0.14%). After its treatment with cerium mixture and graphitization with ferrosilicon (75% Si), only nodular and vermicular graphite precipitates were achieved in the examined cast iron. Moreover, it is possible to achieve the alloy of pure ferritic matrix, even after the spheroidizing treatment, when both the aluminium and the silicon occur in cast iron in amounts of about 5.2÷5.3%.

The work determined the influence of aluminium in the amount from about 1% to about 7% on the graphite precipitates in cast iron with relatively high silicon content (3.4% to 3.90%) and low manganese content (about 0.1%). The cast iron was spheroidized with cerium mixture and graphitized with ferrosilicon. The performed treatment resulted in occurring of compact graphite precipitates, mainly nodular and vermicular, of various size. The following parameters were determined: the area percentage occupied by graphite, perimeters of graphite precipitates per unit area, and the number of graphite precipitates per unit area. The examinations were performed by means of computer image analyser, taking into account four classes of shape factor. It was found that as the aluminium content in cast iron increases from about 1.1% to about 3.4%, the number of graphite precipitates rises from about 700 to about 1000 per square mm. For higher Al content (4.2% to 6.8%) this number falls within the range of 1300 -1500 precipitates/mm 2 . The degree of cast iron spheroidization increases with an increase in aluminium content within the examined range, though when Al content exceeds about 2.8%, the area occupied by graphite decreases. The average size of graphite precipitates is equal to 11-15 μm in cast iron containing aluminium in the quantity from about 1.1% to about 3.4%, and for higher Al content it decreases to about 6 μm.