EFFECT OF GRAPHITE SIZE AND SPACING ON THE ELASTIC CONSTANTS OF SPHEROIDAL GRAPHITE CAST IRON : AN ANALYTICAL APPROACH.

Abstract

The effect of graphite size and spacing upon the elastic constants of spheroidal graphite cast iron has been studied for different graphite-matrix interface conditions through a finite element analysis of two dimensional idealized configuration of inclusion and matrix. The interface conditions considered cover situations ranging from complete rigidity to complete elastic deformation of the inclusion. It has been attempted to throw light on the probable modes of elastic deformation of graphite in spheroidal  graphite iron castings based on comparison of analytical values with experimentally determined values available in the literature. While the interfacial conditions considered appear to influence the overall elastic modulus when the inclusion is hard, such effect is shown to be relatively insignificant for soft inclusions such as graphite.