Zirconium Inoculant

Description

A zirconium inoculant is an additive widely used in the casting production. Its main component is zirconium along with some other auxiliary elements.

Principle of Action

Grain Refinement: Zirconium can act as an external nucleus in the liquid metal, promoting the nucleation of grains during the solidification of the metal, thus refining the grains and improving the structure and properties of the casting.
Changing the Morphology of Impurities: It can react with some harmful impurities, changing their morphology and distribution, and reducing the adverse effects of impurities on the properties of the casting.

Parameter

Commodity	Chemical(%,≥,≤)
	Zr	Mn	Ca	Si	Al	Ba
FeSiZr	1.5-2.5	1-2	0.5-1.5	72-78	0.5-1.5	≤0.6
FeSiZr	1.5-2.5	3-5	1-2	45-50	1-1.5	≥10
FeSiZr	1-1.5	/	1-2.5	≥70	≤1.5	/
FeSiZr	1-3	/	≤2	65-70	≤1.5	1-2%
FeSiZr	3-6	/	1-2	65-78	1-2	1-2

Main Functions

Improving Mechanical Properties: Grain refinement can enhance the mechanical properties of the casting such as strength, toughness, and wear resistance, enabling it to withstand greater loads and harsher working environments.
Enhancing Casting Performance: It can reduce the surface tension of the liquid metal, improve its fluidity, which is beneficial for mold filling and reduces casting defects such as misruns and cold shuts. At the same time, it can also reduce shrinkage cavities, porosity and other defects of the casting, improving the density of the casting.

Application

Zirconium inoculants are mainly used in the casting fields of cast iron, cast steel, etc. In gray cast iron, it can increase its strength and hardness and improve the machinability. In ductile iron, it can enhance the spheroidizing effect and improve the quality and performance of ductile iron. In cast steel, it helps to refine the grains and improve the toughness and fatigue strength of the steel.