Product Introduction
Silicon Zirconium Inoculant is an iron-based composite inoculant primarily composed of silicon and zirconium. It is widely used in the production of gray iron and ductile iron to enhance graphite nucleation, improve microstructure stability, and reduce casting defects.
Typical Chemical Composition
- Silicon (Si): 60%–75% – Base element providing strong graphitization ability
- Zirconium (Zr): 1.5%–5.0% – Key functional element (common grades contain 3%–6%)
- Auxiliary elements: Calcium (Ca), Aluminum (Al), and Barium (Ba) each 0.5%–2.5%, providing synergistic deoxidation and anti-fading effects
- Iron (Fe): Balance
- Impurities: S ≤ 0.04%, P ≤ 0.05%
- Product form: 0.2–5 mm granules, suitable for in-stream inoculation or ladle addition in modern casting processes.
Technical Specifications
|
Item |
Specification |
|
Silicon (Si) |
60% – 75% |
|
Zirconium (Zr) |
1.5% – 5.0% |
|
Calcium (Ca) |
0.5% – 2.5% |
|
Aluminum (Al) |
0.5% – 2.5% |
|
Barium (Ba) |
0.5% – 2.5% |
|
Sulfur (S) |
≤ 0.04% |
|
Phosphorus (P) |
≤ 0.05% |
|
Iron (Fe) |
Balance |
Key Functions
Powerful Nucleation Capability
Zirconium forms high-melting-point compounds such as ZrC, ZrO₂, and ZrN, which act as highly effective graphite nuclei. This significantly increases the number of eutectic cells and promotes uniform graphite distribution.
Strong Resistance to Inoculation Fading
The inoculation effect remains stable for a longer period compared with conventional inoculants, making it suitable for long production processes, large casting volumes, and thick-section castings.
Suppression of Chill Formation
Silicon-zirconium inoculant effectively reduces undercooling and suppresses chill tendency, enabling gray iron to obtain fine and uniformly distributed A-type graphite.
Deoxidation, Desulfurization and Nitrogen Fixation
It provides strong deoxidation and desulfurization performance while fixing dissolved nitrogen in molten iron. This helps eliminate nitrogen porosity, which is particularly important when using a high scrap steel ratio.
Microstructure Refinement
By improving graphite nucleation and matrix uniformity, the inoculant enhances the strength and toughness of cast iron components.
Main Applications
Gray Cast Iron
Commonly used in the production of engine blocks, cylinder heads, transmission housings, and machine tool beds. These components require high strength, good airtightness, and minimal casting defects.
Ductile Iron
Suitable for high-strength ductile iron grades such as QT700-2 and above, as well as large structural components used in wind power, nuclear power equipment, automotive crankshafts, and wheel hubs. Silicon-zirconium inoculant helps stabilize nodularization and reduce shrinkage defects.
High Scrap Ratio Melting
When the scrap ratio exceeds 50%, especially in carburizing processes, silicon-zirconium inoculant effectively controls nitrogen content and reduces casting rejection rates.
In-Stream Inoculation
It is highly suitable for fully automated pouring lines, providing stable and uniform inoculation performance with excellent process reliability.
Application Guidelines
Addition rate
Ladle or furnace addition: 0.2%–0.6%
In-stream inoculation: 0.1%–0.3%
Performance advantages
Compared with traditional FeSi-Ba or FeSi-Sr inoculants, silicon-zirconium inoculant offers: stronger resistance to inoculation fading better nitrogen control improved casting strength
Recommended for
High-grade gray cast iron
High-strength ductile iron
Thick-section castings
High scrap-ratio melting processes
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