Effect of interlamellar spacing on tensile strength gray cast iron with copper variations

Abstract

Gray cast iron is a type of cast iron which has a flakes graphite forms that have vibration damping properties, as well as good mechanical properties, so this material is widely used in various types of equipment and structures. Addition of necessary elements is one way to improve the mechanical properties of gray cast iron. Giving the portion of copper can increase the formation of graphite on eutectic transformation but reduce the formation of graphite on eutectoid transformation, thereby increasing the amount of pearlite. The results of the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) test showed an increased number of pearlites, followed by increasingly interlamellar spacing. Denser interlamellar spacing is obtained by increasing the percentage of a copper element in gray cast iron. The results of tensile testing conducted in this study also showed that an increase in the percentage of copper is able to increase the tensile strength. So, it can be concluded that an increase in the portion of the amount of copper element produces closer interlamellar spacing and increases thereby its tensile strength.