For quality grey cast iron production, the challenging issues are to avoid cementite structure and obtain the desired graphite morphology with proper matrix as well as hardness. The objective of the present research is to find out the right combination of preconditioner and inoculant that may help to overcome the challenges. In this work, sulphur content is kept low (0.01%). Two preconditioners namely metallurgical SiC and zirconium bearing FeSi with two types of inoculant are individually used to make four combinations of sample and for each case metal is poured into the green sand mould. Finally Brinell hardness and graphite morphology is observed in the thickest and thinnest portions of the castings. Metallurgical SiC with barium bearing inoculant gives better graphite morphology and hardness than strontium bearing inoculant, on the other hand zirconium bearing FeSi gives more satisfying result than SiC with every type of inoculant. Among all of the combinations Zr bearing preconditioner with Ba bearing inoculant gives good graphite morphology with best mechanical properties in both thickest and thinnest portions of the casting.

Low manganese and sulfur gray irons were produced by adding inoculant base Fe-Si with small amounts of Al and Ca in the ladle. The effect of the cast thickness, inoculant amount and shakeout time of the green sand molds were studied on the graphite flake formation by microscopically techniques. A thermodynamic analysis was carried out for the cast iron produced with the FactSage 7.2 software. Stability phase diagrams were obtained for both gray cast irons to different manganese (0.1 to 0.9 wt.%) and sulfur (0.01 to 0.12 wt.%) amounts to 1150°C. It was shown that lower amounts of manganese and sulfur allow forming the 3Al2O3·2SiO2, Al2O3, and ZrO2 solid compounds. The thermodynamic results match with those obtained by SEM-EDS. It is possible to form MnS particles in the liquid phase when the solubility product (%Mn) × (%S) equals 0.042 and 0.039 for heats A and B, respectively.

Phytophthora root and stem rot of soybean is a destructive disease of soybean in Iran. During 1998–2005, 142 isolates from soil and diseased soybean plants were collected and tested. Race identification was made possible by inoculating Rps differential soybean cultivars and lines. Of the 142 isolates tested, 110 isolates belonged to race 1 and 32 isolates belonged to race 3. Race 1 was domi nant in soil and diseased plant samples. There was no variability in virulence of Phytophthora sojae between the areas surveyed.

The paper presents the research results of horizontal continuous casting of ingots of aluminium alloy containing 2% wt. silicon (AlSi2).

Together with the casting velocity (velocity of ingot movement) we considered the influence of electromagnetic stirring in the area of the

continuous casting mould on refinement of the ingot’s primary structure and their selected mechanical properties, i.e. tensile strength, yield

strength, hardness and elongation. The effect of primary structure refinement and mechanical properties obtained by electromagnetic

stirring was compared with refinement obtained by using traditional inoculation, which consists in introducing additives, i.e. Ti, B and Sr,

to the metal bath. On the basis of the obtained results we confirmed that inoculation done by electromagnetic stirring in the range of the

continuous casting mould guarantees improved mechanical properties and also decreases the negative influence of casting velocity, thus

increasing the structure of AlSi2 continuous ingots.

The results of examinations of the influence of titanium-boron inoculant on the solidification, the microstructure, and the mechanical

properties of AlZn20 alloy are presented. The examinations were carried out for specimens cast both of the non-modified and the

inoculated alloy. There were assessed changes in the alloy overcooling during the first stage of solidification due to the nuclei-forming

influence of the inoculant. The results of quantitative metallographic measurements concerning the refinement of the grain structure of

casting produced in sand moulds are presented. The cooling rate sensitivity of the alloy was proved by revealing changes in morphology of

the α-phase primary crystals. Differences in mechanical properties resulting from the applied casting method and optional inoculation were

evaluated.

In paper is presented results of studies concerning ingot of Al with a purity of 99.5% cast with use of stand of horizontal continuous

casting. Mainly together with casting velocity was considered influence of electromagnetic stirrer, which was placed in continuous casting

mould on refinement of ingots structure and theirs usability to plastic deformation. Effect of structure refinement and usability to plastic

deformation obtained by influence of electromagnetic stirring was compared with refinement obtained by use of traditional inoculation,

which consists in introducing of additives i.e. Ti and B to metal bath. On the basis of obtained results was affirmed that inoculation

realized by electromagnetic stirring in range of continuous casting mould guarantees improvement in structure refinement and usability to

rolling of pure Al continuous ingots.

In paper is presented idea of construction and influence of selected parts of stand of horizontal continuous casting on quality of pure Al and AlSi2

alloy ingots. The main parts of the made stand belong to induction furnace, which is also tundish, water cooled continuous casting mould, system

of recooling, system of continuous ingot drawing and cutting. Mainly was considered influence of electromagnetic stirrer, which was placed

in continuous casting mould on refinement of ingots structure. Effect of structure refinement obtained by influence of electromagnetic stirring was

compared with refinement obtained by use of traditional inoculation, which consists in introducing of additives i.e. Ti and B to metal bath. The

results of studies show possibility of effective refinement of Al and AlSi2 alloy primary structure, only with use of horizontal electromagnetic field

and without necessity of application of inoculants. This method of inoculation is important, because inoculants decrease the degree of purity

and electrical conductivity of pure aluminum and moreover are reason of point cracks formation during rolling of ingots.

An initial assessment of the effectiveness of cast iron inoculation, performed by the method of impulse introducing the master alloy into

cast iron, is presented. The experiment was concerned with the hypoeutectic gray cast iron inoculated with either the Alinoc or the Barinoc

master alloy by means of an experimental device for pneumatic transportation. Examinations involved pneumatic injection of the

powdered inoculant carried in a stream of gaseous medium (argon) into the metal bath held in the crucible of an induction furnace. It was

found that the examined process is characterised by both high effectiveness and stability.

The present investigation focuses on the study of the influence of titanium inoculation on tribological properties of High Chromium Cast Iron. Studies of tribological properties of High Chromium Cast Iron, in particularly the wear resistance are important because of the special application of this material. High Chromium Cast Iron is widely used for parts that require high wear resistance for example the slurry pumps, brick dies, several pieces of mine drilling equipment, rock machining equipment, and similar ones. Presented research described the effects of various amounts of Fe-Ti as an inoculant for wear resistance. The results of wear resistance were collated with microstructural analysis. The melts were conducted in industrial conditions. The inoculation was carried out on the stream of liquid metal. The following amount of inoculants have been used; 0.17% Fe-Ti, 0.33% Fe-Ti and 0.66% Fe-Ti. The tests were performed on the machine type MAN. The assessment of wear resistance was made on the basis of the weight loss. The experimental results indicate that inoculation improve the wear resistance. In every sample after inoculation the wear resistance was at least 20% higher than the reference sample. The best result, thus the smallest wear loss was achieved for inoculation by 0.66% Fe-Ti. There is the correlation between the changing in microstructure and wear resistance. With greater amount of titanium the microstructure is finer. More fine carbides do not crumbling so quickly from the matrix, improving the wear resistance.

The present work, presented the study of effect of different inoculants on impact toughness in High Chromium Cast Iron. The molds were

pouring in industrial conditions and samples were tested in laboratory in Faculty of Foundry Engineering at AGH. Seven samples were tested

- one reference sample, three with different addition of Fe-Ti, and three with different addition of Al. The samples were subjected to impact

toughness on Charpy hammer and the hardness test. The presented investigations indicate that for the each inoculant there is an optimal

addition at which the sample obtained the highest value of impact toughness. For the Fe-Ti it is 0.66% and for Al is 0.17%. Of all the

examined inoculants best results were obtained at a dose of 0.66% Fe-Ti. Titanium is a well-known as a good modifier but very interesting

results gives the aluminum. Comparing the results obtained for the Fe-Ti and Al can be seen that in the case of aluminum hardness is more

stable. The hardness of all samples is around 40-45 HRC, which is not high for this type of cast iron. Therefore, in future studies it is

planned to carry out the heat treatment procedure that may improves hardness.

The paper is devoted to grain-refinement of the medium-aluminium zinc based alloys (MAl-Zn). The system examined was sand cast Zn10

wt. %. Al binary alloy (Zn-10Al) doped with commercial Al-3 wt. % Ti – 0.15 wt. % C grain refiner (Al-3Ti-0.15C GR). Basing on the

measured attenuation coefficient of ultrasonic wave it was stated that together with significantly increased structure fineness damping

decreases only by about 10 – 20%. The following examinations should establish the influence of the mentioned grain-refinement on

strength and ductility of MAl-Zn cast alloys.

Paper presents the results of studies on primary crystallization and wear resistance of high chromium cast iron inoculated with

ferrotitanium intended for work in abrasive conditions. Primary crystallization was examined with use of TDA method, wear tests of the

samples were conducted using the modified pin-on-disk method.