Effects of Cu, Sb and Si Contents on Microstructure and Properties of Heavy Section Pearlite Nodular Iron

A heavy section pearlite nodular iron was fabricated using sand casting. The effects of Cu, Sb alloying elements and Si contents on the microstructure and properties of nodular iron were investigated. The results show the chunky graphite in the central part of heavy section nodular iron can be eliminated and the performance was improved by adding appropriate Sb. Properly increasing Cu addition could improve pearlite content and tensile properties. The pearlite content and strength of heavy section nodular iron were improved by reasonable reducing Si content. When the addition quantity of Cu and Sb were 0.5% and 0.015%, and the Si content was 2.1%, the heavy section pearlite nodular iron in size of 250 mm×250 mm×300 mm could be obtained good overall performance.