Mechanical and microstructural properties of low-carbon steel-plate-reinforced gray cast iron

In the present experimental study, strengthening of gray cast iron by reinforcing with steel plates was investigated in the as-cast and normalized conditions. Normalizing heat treatments were applied to the specimens at temperatures of 800 °C and 850 °C. Three-point bend specimens were manufactured from gray cast iron and also from gray cast iron with reinforced steel plates. Flexural strengths of the steel-plate-reinforced cast iron were calculated for four distinct volume fractions (Vr = 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, and 0.16). The current study shows that the steel-plate-reinforced gray cast iron has higher flexural strength and flexural modulus than the cast iron without reinforcement. The flexural strength considerably increases with slight increase in normalization temperature. Optical and scanning electron microscopy analyses were used to examine flake morphology and microstructures of gray cast iron and steel-plate-reinforced gray cast iron. It is noted that carbon diffuses from the gray cast iron to the steel plates. A transition region containing partially dissolved graphite and having high hardness was observed due to the carbon diffusion.