CERIUM

DUCTILE IRON

CERIUM
EFFECTS IN CAST DUCTILE IRON
1. Advantageous effects
Cerium acts both as an inoculant and as a nodulariser.
Cerium ties up trace elements such as Pb, As, Bi, Sb, Sn, Al, Cd and Ti, which
have a negative influence on the structure of the graphite.
Additionally cerium reacts with both dissolved O and S in the cast iron melt.
The inclusions are of type X2Y3 and XY2, where X is cerium and Y is either S or O.
These inclusions act as nuclei for the nucleation of graphite,
and reduces the undercooling necessary to start eutectic solidification.
Solidification following the stable Fe-C phase-diagram is made easier and the
microstructure will consist of graphite instead of iron-carbide in the matrix.
The inclusions containing S have been shown to increases the nucleation rate of the
graphite nodules in ductile cast iron.
The inclusions containing cerium together with the silicate phases containing Ca and
Al are favorable nucleation sites, and an inoculant based on cerium containing FeSi
will result in a great number of nucleation sites.
Since S and O are effectively tied up, the morphology of the graphite is changed from
flake to nodules.
In a ductile cast-iron melt the effect of cerium is to increase the nucleation sites
resulting in and a higher number of nodules.
With cerium in the inoculant the response of the other active elements, like Ca and Al
will increase.

Ir G.D HENDERIECKX

GIETECH BV

MAY 2009

CERIUM
DUCTILE IRON

2. Disadvantageous effects
An excess of cerium in cast iron may cause formation of undesired graphite
structures and carbides, especially in ductile iron.
Exploded and chunky graphite forms can occur and both these lead to reduced
mechanical properties. This is a problem especially in heavy section castings.
Cerium is also known for promoting chunky graphite in austenitic ductile irons.
Inverse chill may result if Ce + Mg is excessive compared to the base S-level.

3. Sources:
Most from FeSiMgRE additions.
Added as Mischmetal to pure Mg nodularising process
Can also be present in some inoculants, mostly together with small amount of S.
Usual trace level: up to 0,02 % but depending on the wall thickness in order to avoid
chunky graphite.
So the action of cerium is depending on the wall thickness and amount of hazardous
elements, taken in account that the proper magnesium content is present. The
following rule can give an indication for the maximum cerium content.
Wall thickness

< 25 mm
25 50 mm
50 100 mm
100 250 mm
> 250 mm

Ir G.D HENDERIECKX

Ce
Ce
Ce
Ce
Ce

0,020 0,015 %
0,015 0,010 %
0,010 0,005 %
0,005 0,002 %
0,002 0,000 %

GIETECH BV

MAY 2009