On the role of interfacial segregation on graphite shape in cast irons

Abstract

Understanding spheroidal graphite growth in cast irons is a long standing problem for which several mechanisms have been proposed. During the last decade, observations using transmission electron microscopy added new information about the stacking of graphite layers, leading eventually to propose other mechanisms than previously thought of such as repeated 2D-nucleation of new growth blocks and their lateral extension at the surface of the spheroids. Furthermore, it has been recently realized that elements known to strongly affect graphite shape are also those that are surface active. This is illustrated here in the case of antimony which is known to lead to spheroidal graphite degeneration when added at some tens of ppm. Using atomic resolution microscopy, segregation of antimony could be evidenced at the graphite/matrix interface of both spheroids and protuberances. This strongly suggests that accumulation of antimony repelled magnesium from the graphite surface until growth of spiky protuberances replaced spheroidal growth.