Solidification range

Because cast iron has a carbon content approximately equivalent to its eutectic composition, it can be cast at lower temperatures than steel and flows more readily than steel because of its much narrower temperature solidification range. The presence of the graphite flakes in cast iron decreases its shrinkage on solidification much less than that of steel. These factors contribute to the fabrication of cast iron as sound castings in complex shapes and with accurate dimensions at low cost. 

Hot cracks Large solidification range More crack-proof filler ... 

Special notations See also entry oil Solidification range is Flash point is 540 °F Approximate composition JFlash point is 325 °F... 

The end of solidification, as defined here, is denoted the solidus temperature and is strongly dependent on the cooling rate. It was particularly difficult to determine the solidus temperature by thermal analysis in steels with a high carbon content. This is a result of their wide solidification ranges and very low growth rates near the end of solidification. Furthermore, eutectic reactions occurred at the end of solidification over a large temperature range which led to poorly defined minima in the derivative. 

Solidification range defined as liqui-dus - solidus temperature, °C Solidification time defined as the time corresponding to the solidification range, s... 

Solidus temperature, °C Solidification range, °C Solidification time, s... 

The solidification range widened with an increasing rate of cooling, see figure 6.5. The constitutional influence of high carbon and chromium contents was very strong. 

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