Effects of Vermiculariser, Inoculant and Copper Addition on Microstructure and Corrosion Properties of Vermicular Graphite Cast Iron

In this study, the microstructure and corrosion properties of Vermicular Graphite Cast Iron (VGCI) produced via different methods and parameters were investigated. VGCI was produced from a base ductile iron material using different proportions of vermiculariser and inoculant. Copper was added to a group of samples as an alloying element. The microstructures and corrosion properties of samples were investigated in saltwater media. The effects of production parameters on the microstructure and corrosion behavior were determined. It was observed that as the ratio of vermiculariser applied was increased, the vermicular graphite ratio and vermicularity was also increased. The matrix grain size decreased while the inoculant and pearlite phase ratio increased due to the addition of copper. In electrochemical corrosion studies, VGCI was superior in corrosion resistance compared to SGCI and addition of vermiculariser, inoculants and copper was found effective in improving the corrosion resistance of the VGCI material.