The article presents the influence of the percentage share of pig iron and steel scrap on the chemical composition, physicochemical and mechanical properties. Using an induction furnace, 6 melts were carried out with a variable amount of pig iron in the charge from 0 to 50%. For carburizing, a RANCO 9905 carburizer with a carbon content of 99.2% was used. After melting and introducing FeSi75, temperature measurement was carried out and the metal was superheated to 1500°C. The next step was to pour the samples for chemical analysis, DTA (Derivation Thermal Analysis) and strength and hardness from the melting furnace without inoculation. The last step was to carry out the inoculation by introducing 0.3% barium inoculant into the vat and pouring samplers for DTA analysis. The inoculation was carried out solely to determine changes in DTA parameters, mainly Temin, compared to castings without inoculation.

This paper presents the problems related to smelting gray and ductile cast iron. Special attention is paid to the metallurgical quality of cast iron. It depends on the type of furnace, charge materials and the special combination of charge, overheating and holding temperature, melting time, modification and spheroidization method. The evaluation of metallurgical quality has been performed by using derivativethermal analysis (DTA). During the smelting process and secondary metallurgy, the ITACA system was used allowing to obtain information on alloy characteristic temperatures (Tliquidus, TeMin, TeMax, Tsolidus), VPS value, recalescence value, IGQ coefficient, nucleation gauge, porosity etc. The results of investigations and calculations are displayed in the form of graphs and dependencies. It has been shown that the derivative-thermal analysis (DTA) is an effective complement of chemical analysis and it has been found that both the increase in temperature and metal holding time have a negative impact on the metallurgical quality of liquid metal. The metallurgical quality can be improved by using proper composition of charge materials and modifiers.