Discussion on “Stable eutectoid transformation in nodular cast iron: modeling and validation”

The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2017 Given that cast irons are multicomponent alloys, the decomposition of the high temperature austenite into ferrite and graphite happens within a finite temperature range and not at an invariant point, as often described schematically. Only a few models explicitly consider the existence of such an austenite–ferrite–graphite range: the contribution under discussion,[1]those that inspired it[2,3] and one previous study from the present author.[4]For kinetics reasons, this latter work explained that ferrite could not grow within the equilibrium three-phase field under continuous cooling; this is in contradiction with the other three reports. The aim of this discussion is first to recall the experimental evidence about ferrite formation during eutectoid transformation of cast iron and then to provide an explanation as to why ferrite starts forming upon cooling only when the temperature of the material is below the equilibrium three-phase field range, as observed experimentally

Effect of strontium and cooling rate upon eutectic temperatures of A319 aluminum alloy

DTA analysis was used to investigate the solidification reactions of alloy A319 with either 12 or 136 ppm of Sr added. Strontium does not affect primary solidification of (Al) dendrites but modifies the kinetics of the (Al)–Si eutectic. The effects of Sr level and of cooling rate on the characteristic temperatures for the (Al)–Si and other eutectic reactions are described

Resampling technique applied to statistics of microsegregation characterization

Characterization of chemical heterogeneities at the dendrite scale is of practical importance for understanding phase transformation either during solidification or during subsequent solid-state treatment. Spot analysis with electron probe is definitely well-suited to investigate such heterogeneities at the micron scale that is relevant for most solidified products. However, very few has been done about the statistics of experimental solute distributions gained from such analyses when they are now more and more used for validating simulation data. There are two main sources generating discrepancies between estimated and actual solute distributions in an alloy: i) data sampling with a limited number of measurements to keep analysis within a reasonable time length; and ii) uncertainty linked to the measurement process, namely the physical noise that accompanies X-ray emission. Focusing on the first of these sources, a few 2-D composition images have been generated by phase field modelling of a Mg-Al alloy. These images were then used to obtain "true" solute distributions to which to compare coarse grid analyses as generally performed with a microanalyser. Resampling, i.e. generating several distributions by grid analyses with limited number of picked-up values, was then used to get statistics of estimates of solute distribution. The discussion of the present results deals first with estimating the average solute content and then focuses on the distribution in the primary phase

Study of the Eutectoid Transformation in Nodular Cast Irons in Relation to Solidification Microsegregation

Eutectoid transformation in cast irons may proceed in the stable or the metastable systems giving ferrite and graphite for the former and pearlite for the latter. The present work demonstrates that composition profiles across ferrite/pearlite boundaries are smooth and similar to those issued from the solidification step. No trace of long-range diffusion of substitutional solutes due to austenite decomposition could be observed. In turn, this ascertains that both stable and metastable transformations proceed with the product matrix—either ferrite opearlite—inheriting the parent austenite content in substitutional solutes. This result sustains a physical model for eutectoid transformation based on the so-called local para-equilibrium which is commonly used for describing solid-state transformation in steels

Tests d'évaluation du degré de pollution des sédiments marins : effets sur la production de larves et la consommation d'algues chez le copépode Tigriopus brevicornis

L'eau interstitielle ou l'eau de lessivage d'un sédiment est mise en contact avec des lots de 50 femelles ovigères du copépode Tigriopus brevicornis. Notons que ce microcrustacé marin est sensible à la pollution mais résistant aux caractéristiques physico-chimiques des types d'eaux testés (salinité et température notamment). On évalue ensuite les effets de ces eaux sur la production larvaire en 10 jours et sur l'ingestion en 4 jours par les copépodes d'une suspension de Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Nous observons ici, pour des lots de sédiments provenant de la région de Marseille, des réductions de la production de larves variant de 61 % (Les Embiez) à 90 % (Vaine). Le test "consommation d'algues", bien moins sensible aboutit pour les mêmes stations à des réductions de 19 % à 35 %. Le test "production larvaire" du fait de sa plus grande sensibilité doit être préféré au test "consommation d'algues".Most pollutants discharged into the sea are found in sediments, generally after temporary fixation in planktonic organisms. The slightest discharge leaves a trace in the soft bottoms. Thus, it may be said that these behave as good "data storage indicators" testifying to the degree of pollution present. Sediments therefore represent a privileged field in research on the state of pollution in the aquatic ecosystem. How can the degree of pollution in this field be evaluated?A chemical analysis of pollutants in sediments is a good means of investigation to detect of degradation in the quality of waters. Most pollutants however are difficult to detect and dose. Moreover, in many cases dosage is tedious and costly. It is from this point of view that biological assays were considered essential.Interstitial water or water used to wash a sediment was placed in contact with batches of 50 ovigerous females of the copepod Tigriopus brevicornis. This marine microcrustacean is known to be sensitive to pollution, though resisting the physical and chemical effects of the waters tested (salinity and temperature, in particular). An evaluation was the made on the effects of these waters; first on larval production during a period of ten days, and then on ingestion by copepeds of a suspension of Pheodactylum tricornutum for four days.The results obtained here with batches of sediment from the Marseilles region show that the larval production test is the most sensitive one. Indeed, the inhibition percentages found by the larval production test range from 35 to 100 % (figure 1), whereas they vary from 5 to 55 % with the algae consumption test (figure 2). With the larval production test, it is possible to classify sediments according to their ecological quality.From this test, moreover, the presence of harmful substances in the sediments can be rapidly detected. Being reproductible and not expensive, it supplements the far too restrictive traditional chemical analyses. When applied to estuarine sedimentary zones, combined with other tests, it should help establish a quality coefficient for sediments based on experimentation

Effect of mould inoculation on formation of chunky graphite in heavy section spheroidal graphite cast iron parts

The manufacturing process of heavy section ductile iron castings is strongly influenced by the risk of graphite degeneration under slow cooling rates. Appearance of this kind of defect is commonly linked to significant reductions in the mechanical properties of large castings. Studies on the effect of inoculation on chunky graphite formation in heavy sections have led to contradictory results in the literature and this triggered the present work. New experimental data are presented on the effect of mould inoculation on chunky graphite appearance during solidification of nodular irons which clearly demonstrate that mould inoculation increases the risk of chunky graphite formation in heavy sections. This is in agreement with some previous works which are reviewed, and it is suggested that the contradiction with other results could relate to the fact that these latter works dealt with chill casting

Thermal analysis applied to estimation of solidification kinetics of Al–Si aluminium alloys

Evaluation of solidification kinetics by thermal analysis is a useful tool for quality control of Al–Si melts before pouring provided it is rapid and highly reproducible. Series of thermal analysis records made with standard cups are presented that show good reproducibility. They are evaluated using a Newton’s like approach to get the instantaneous heat evolution and from it solidification kinetics. An alternative way of calculating the zero line is proposed which is validated by the fact that the latent heat of solidification thus evaluated is within 5% of the value calculated from thermodynamic data. Solidification kinetics was found highly reproducible provided appropriate experimental conditions were achieved: high enough casting temperature for the cup to heat up to the metal temperature well before solidification starts; and equal and homogeneous temperatures of the metal and of the cup at any time in the temperature range used for integration

Bioévaluation de la pollution des sédiments de la Seine (région parisienne) par l'emploi d'un bioessai basé sur la croissance à court terme de la micro-algue Selenastrum capricornutum Printz

La bioévaluation de l'état de santé des fonds meubles dépend des conditions expérimentales du traitement des échantillons de sédiment conduisant à l'obtention de la phase aqueuse sur laquelle sont effectuées les analyses chimiques et toxicologiques.Au cours de cette étude préliminaire nous avons considéré l'action de ces principales conditions ; nous constatons que l'effet inhibiteur d'un sédiment vis-à-vis de la croissance à court terme de la micro-algue Selenastrum capricornutum Printz n'est pas aisément levé, que ce soit par lessivages successifs du sédiment, par filtration plus fine de l'eau extraite à partir de ce dernier ou par autoclavage préalable de ce même sédiment, il peut l'être par contre après biodégradation.Cette étude expérimentale a permis de comparer entre eux les pouvoirs inhibiteurs des fonds meubles de la Seine (région parisienne).On note qu'il n'y a pas de corrélation entre les teneurs en métaux lourds souvent importantes des eaux issues des sédiments (Pb 70, Cu 100, Cr 150, Cd 9, Ni 280, Zn 400 µg.L-1) et le développement des algues : les polluants métalliques sont masqués par le pouvoir chélateur de ces biotopes riches en substances organiques.Une conclusion à cette étude préliminaire est que l'analyse chimique des sédiments, utilisée seule, n'a qu'un intérêt limité : les données les plus fiables correspondent à celles fournies par les bioessais.A bioevaluation of the state of health of soft bottoms depends on the experimental conditions in which samples of sediment are treated to obtain the water phase to be subjected to chemical and toxicological analyses.In the course of this preliminary study we have considered the action of these principal conditions. We have noted that the inhibiting effect of a sediment on the short-term growth of a microalga Selenastrum capricornutum is not easy to eliminate, whether by a series of washes of the sediment, by a finer filtration of the water extracted from this sediment or by e previous autoclavage of this sediment.This study quickly revealed which sediments in the River Seine (Paris area) inhibited most the test micro-alga Selenastrum capricornutum (Chlorophyceae); the cause of these inhibitions was then sought.There is no correlation between the often high content of heavy metals in the sediment water (Pb 70, Cu 100, Cr 150, Cd 9, Ni 280, Zn 400 µg.L-1) and the development of the algae; the metal pollutants are probably masked by the chelating capacity of these biotopes rich in organic substances. The experimental conditions under which the sediment samples are treated to obtain the water phase used for the chemical and toxicological analyses are also important.One conclusion drawn is that a chemical analysis alone of the sediments is of limited interest. The most reliable data from the ecological point of view are those provided by the bio-assays