Foundry Pig Iron is suitable for iron castings used in general engineering, machine
tools and parts for the automotive industry. Due to the high proportion of iron ore
used in the production of Foundry Pig Iron, the formation of pearlite in the finished
casting is promoted. This effect is enhanced when more than 10% of Pig Iron per
charge is used.
The use of Foundry Pig Iron promotes graphite formation, reduces primary chill and
improves machinability, particularly important in thin-walled castings The use of costly chill reducing inoculants can be minimised through increased addi-
tions of Foundry Pig Iron.
The high density and high carbon content of Foundry Pig Iron improves melting rates
or reduces energy consumption. In an electric induction furnace savings can be as
high as 50 kWh/t of molten metal. In a cupola furnace savings of up to 50 kg coke/t
of molten metal can be achieved.
The higher bulk density of pig iron relative to scrap means lower storage space re-
quirements, less handling during charge make-up, fewer charge buckets and lower
charging time.
â?¢ The lower surface area : volume ratio relative to scrap means lower oxide (rust) for-
mation and thus lower slag volume.
The carbon content is chemically combined and thus goes into solution more quickly
with lower energy requirement than when adding a recarburiser to scrap