Influence of hot impact deformation on graphitization in white cast iron

Abstract The influence of hot impact deformation at 1100°C on graphitization in a binary white cast iron containing 4.24% carbon was studied. At levels of impact deformation at which the thickness decrease was less than 70%, the directional array of cementite plates was found to chan'ge significantly to a uniform distribution of cementite blocks, but graphitization did not occur. At later stages of impact deformation (>70% change in thickness) drastic graphitization was observed to occur almost instantly owing to heavy deformation. Based upon the experimental results, the controlling process for graphitization in white cast iron is discussed and explanation of the effect of impact deformation on graphitization is attempted.