Inoculant for Casting: Overview | Best Prices for Sale
Inoculants are important additives in the casting process. Their primary role is to effectively promote the formation of eutectic spheres in molten iron, improve the internal structure of cast iron, and refine the matrix organization, thereby significantly reducing the tendency of cast iron to exhibit white iron characteristics. In the casting process of graphite cast iron, the use of inoculants leads to significant graphitization effects within 5 to 8 minutes.
The chemical composition of inoculants mainly includes Si (70-75%), Al (1-2%), Ba (1-3%), and Ca (1-2.5%). These components effectively enhance the inoculation effect during the formation of eutectic spheres in the molten iron and improve the morphology of graphitization. They also refine the crystal nuclei, increase the density of cast iron, and improve its cutting performance and plastic properties.
What Is Inoculant for Casting?
A casting inoculant is a widely used additive primarily composed of silicon, with Si levels typically ≥70%. The silicon in inoculants can significantly promote the number of eutectic spheres in molten iron during the casting process, refine the organizational structure, and enhance the fluidity of molten iron, effectively preventing blockage at the pouring gate. Therefore, they are extensively applied in various casting processes.
Characteristics of Inoculants for Casting
Due to the serious impact of harmful elements such as S, P, and N on cast iron quality, special production processes are typically employed during the manufacturing of casting inoculants to minimize the inclusion of these harmful elements. High-quality casting inoculants must possess characteristics of high purity, high performance, and low impurities. They should have a low melting point to quickly dissolve in molten iron, allowing internal elements to chemically react with the iron. This reaction typically occurs around five minutes after the inoculant is added to the molten iron. Thanks to the excellent performance of casting inoculants, they are widely used in the casting processes of gray cast iron and graphite cast iron.
Types of Inoculants for Casting
Casting inoculants are generally rich in silicon and can be divided into categories such as silicon barium inoculants, rare earth inoculants, strontium inoculants, and antimony inoculants. Ferro silicon inoculants are currently the most commonly used type in casting processes. Barium-bearing inoculants are primarily applied in the production of ductile iron and gray cast iron, effectively preventing the white iron tendency in gray cast iron and avoiding leakage. Rare earth inoculants are mainly used in the casting processes of high-grade gray cast iron, while antimony inoculants can effectively improve the distribution of graphite within gray cast iron and enhance its overall performance. Therefore, different types of casting inoculants are suitable for different casting processes of cast iron, and their effects may vary accordingly. It’s essential to select the appropriate type of casting inoculant based on the type of cast iron.
Particle Size of Inoculants for Casting
Inoculants suitable for casting processes generally come in particle sizes of 5mm-15mm, 3mm-8mm, 2mm-6mm, and 0.2mm-0.8mm, among others. XLS Metals can customize any particle size of casting inoculants based on user requirements. The particle size of the inoculant greatly influences the inoculation effect in molten iron. Larger particle sizes are more suitable for high-temperature and high-tonnage molten iron, while smaller particles are better for fluid treatment. Typically, inoculants with a particle size of 0.2mm-0.8mm are suitable for fluid treatment, while those with a particle size of 2mm-6mm are more appropriate for secondary inoculation in ladle treatments, catering to different casting needs.
Functions of Inoculants for Casting
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Promote crystal formation, improving the strength and hardness of cast iron.
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Improve crystal morphology and size for a more uniform and dense structure.
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Enhance the distribution of graphite and promote graphitization efficiency.
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Increase the number of eutectic spheres and refine the matrix structure.
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Reduce the tendency of cast iron to exhibit white iron characteristics.
Best Inoculant Sales Prices
If you are looking to enhance the performance and quality of your cast iron using high-performance casting inoculants at a low cost, XLS Metals is an unavoidable choice. With its headquarters in China and advantageous raw material extraction bases established in the country, XLS Metals is able to produce casting inoculants using high-purity raw materials at low costs. Over years of development, XLS Metals has delved deep into the casting industry, understanding different users’ needs and establishing an independent R&D laboratory. Through advanced equipment and facilities, it continually researches the production processes of casting inoculants and has obtained multiple patents in the industry. These technologies enable XLS Metals to produce high-performance inoculants that meet the needs of the casting industry using high-purity raw materials.
Utilizing a “factory direct sales” model allows XLS Metals to offer high-performance casting inoculants at the best prices, effectively reducing users’ procurement costs. Thanks to its advanced processes and high-performance characteristics, XLS Metals is highly praised in the casting field and is regarded by users as the “best casting inoculants supplier and manufacturer.”
