Influence of shakeout time on the microstructure and hardness of gray cast iron under industrial conditions

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5902/2965694X93920

Keywords:

Gray cast iron, Shakeout time, Microstructure, Graphite, Brinell hardness

Abstract

Gray cast iron is widely used due to its machinability and low cost, and its properties depend on the microstructure formed during cooling. This study evaluated the effect of shakeout time (2, 24, and 48 h) on the microstructure and hardness Brinell (HB) of parts produced in no-bake sand molds, using steel scrap as metallic charge and cast in a cupola furnace. Graphite morphology was classified according to ASTM A247, and hardness was measured as per ASTM E10. A microstructural evolution with shakeout time was observed: at 2 h, ferrite + pearlite matrix, Type A/E graphite, and 201.16 ± 2.63 HB; at 24 h, pearlitic matrix, Type A graphite, and 198.83 ± 2.92 HB; at 48 h, predominantly pearlitic matrix with residual ferrite, Type A/E graphite, and 214.33 ± 2.16 HB. The results indicate that shakeout time modulates the cooling rate, changing phase fractions and hardness with a non-monotonic response over the range studied. Therefore, shakeout time is a relevant process parameter for controlling the microstructure and properties of the gray cast irons.

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Author Biographies

Renan Pfeifenberg, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Student at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Cachoeira do Sul Campus.

Márcio Medeiros de Magalhães, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Programa de pós graduação em Engenharia de Minas, Metalúrgica e de Materiais (PPGE3M). Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).

Guilherme Vieira Braga Lemos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Student at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Cachoeira do Sul Campus.

Camila dos Santos Torres, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Cachoeira do Sul Campus.

References

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Published

2025-12-19

How to Cite

Pfeifenberg, R., Magalhães, M. M. de, Lemos, G. V. B., & Torres, C. dos S. (2025). Influence of shakeout time on the microstructure and hardness of gray cast iron under industrial conditions. Journal Of Exact Sciences and Technological Applications, 4, e93920. https://doi.org/10.5902/2965694X93920

Issue

Vol. 4 (2026): JESTA| Fluxo contínuo

Section

Aplicações Tecnológicas

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Copyright (c) 2025 Renan Pfeifenberg, Márcio Medeiros de Magalhães, Guilherme Vieira Braga Lemos, Camila dos Santos Torres

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