Improved methods for production welding of cast iron components

Purpose and goal

The purpose with the project was to investigate how production welding of cast iron influences the expected properties. The aim was to minimize the costly and resource demanding scrap rate by increasing knowledge and the acceptance for production welding. Experimental work has been done to investigate how production welding affects the material and its properties and by that increased the knowledge. The project has also been discussed with other companies to increase the interest and acceptance. Thus other possible parties for a continuation project have been identified.

Expected results and effects

Two different approaches were examined; production welding of ductile iron and repairing of white iron with cold spray. The result shows that cold spray did not work on the white iron. The repair easily falls off, especially during cutting. Production welding of ductile iron gave more positive results. A metallurgical bonding is formed. However, deviating structures are formed and some of these can be expected to influence the properties. Besides, porosity and cracks are formed. To reach the expected results more work is needed but the foundation has been created.

Planned approach and implementation

The project started with two workshops to identify suitable applications, methods used today and other conditions. A literature study was done to summarize what has been done earlier before the experimental work started in which different cast iron materials, filler materials and welding methods were evaluated to investigate how production welding influences the component and its properties. This was a good, structured and straightforward way to attack the problem resulting in a foundation for continued work in the research field.