High-aluminium foundry additive maximises chill reduction, reduces casting porosity, and increases the tensile strength of grey iron castings.

Elkem has launched a new high-aluminium inoculant that, according to the experience of foundries maximises chill reduction, reduces casting porosity, and increases the tensile strength of grey iron castings. The new Superseed® Extra Al Inoculant contains a special combination of aluminium, strontium, and zirconium that eliminates chilled white iron in thin sections and corners, increasing the machinability of grey iron castings.

This new inoculant also achieves strong chill reduction without relying on calcium, as in other inoculation practices. As a result, this low-calcium inoculant generates very little slag, reducing the slag build-up in iron being transferred to pouring equipment and minimising the possibility of casting defects.

This inoculant is a 75% Si-based ferroalloy especially designed for use in grey iron. It contains balanced additions of strontium and zirconium, which are powerful in promoting type A graphite and reducing the risk of nitrogen blowholes respectively. By producing the inoculant with a deliberately low aluminium and calcium content, the likelihood of hydrogen pinholes and slag generation are minimised.

Superseed® Extra inoculant is produced at the Elkem Bremanger plant in Norway and the Elkem Chicoutimi plant in Canada, using special production methods to ensure maximum uniformity of composition and structure throughout the product.

Elkem’s specialty inoculants, nodularisers, cover conditioners, pre-conditioners, and ferrosilicon products help foundries achieve superior-quality castings that meet user requirements, including chill-free iron, improved graphite structure and mechanical properties, lack of porosity from shrinkage, and lower total costs.

For further details contact Ceramic and Alloy Specialists on TEL: 011 894 3039 or visit www.ceramic-alloy.co.za