A Review of Side-lined Chunky Graphite Phenomena

Abstract

Considerable insight into Chunky graphite formation models and their corresponding mechanisms can be derived from revisiting graphite nucleation mechanisms in ductile iron. In particular, several unified theories related to the nucleation and growth of nodular graphite, need to be considered before Chunky graphite formation models and their corresponding mechanisms can be derived. This is justified by high resolution microscopy of quenching experiments, which elucidates that the formation of unwanted graphite forms like chunky occur shortly after graphite nucleation during eutectic solidification. Therefore it is the intension of this review to tie a number of nucleation theories stronger to events that have been shown to promote Chunky graphite formation. In particular a number of studies including radiography and spectroscopy will be reviewed that will shed new light into the Chunky graphite formation mechanism.