ENGR. JHO ANA MAE D.

MORALES

1. What happens to the solid produced from the molten state if the rate of
cooling will not be constant?
Rate of cooling is considered to be the controlling factor in developing either a soft or a
hard metal. Rapid cooling results to hard structure while slow cooling results to soft
structure. If the rate of cooling will not be constant, it will result to uneven hardness and
unfavorable distribution of stress. This may cause distortion cracking or soft spots.
When water is used in cooling, the steel parts may rust.

2. What remedies can be made to correct the defects?

Cracks can be remedied by sealing/filling the cracks with suitable sealant or filler.
Rust can be remedied using rust converter or rust remover.

3. Enumerate the different properties imparted in adding these elements in iron.

Elements:
• Carbon – Increasing carbon content increases hardness and strength and
improves hardenability but carbon also increases brittleness and reduces
weldability because of its tendency to form martensite.
• Silicon – It is an important element in making grey cast iron because it is known
as a graphite stabilizing element in cast iron. Thus, it promotes the development
of graphite in place of iron carbides. It also helps to purify the iron ore during
the smelting process by deoxidizing it and removing other impurities from it. It is
also used for hardening purposes.
• Sulfur – Improve machinability. Weldability of steel decreases with the increase
in sulfur content. Increasing sulfur contents in gray cast iron alters the
morphology of manganese sulfide inclusions and increases inclusion sizes. The
greatest effect of sulfur is hot brittleness at elevated temperatures.
• Manganese – It removes oxygen and sulfur when iron ore (an iron and oxygen
compound) is converted into iron. It also is an essential alloy that helps convert
iron into steel. As an alloy, it decreases the brittleness of steel and imparts
strength. Added to steel to increase the working properties and tensile strength
and machinability. Increase the toughness and hardenability.
• Phosphorus – Excessive phosphorus content raises the brittleness of gray iron
because of the brittle and intergranular steadite and reduces tensile strength. It
has limited solubility in austenite, which decreases by increasing the carbon
content. Therefore, during the solidification of cast iron, phosphorus segregates
into the melt. It is always used with sulfur to improve machinability. Increases
strength.

4. How does the amount of impurities be imparted to obtain the required

amount for a specific iron and steel products?
Impurities like silicon – 0.1% to 0.3%, sulfur – 0.015% to 0.6%, phosphorus – 0.04%
(structural steel) 0.035% (tool steel), oxygen – above 0.025%, nitrogen – 0.005% to
0.3% (in welds) should be limited only to these percentage to attain quality iron and
steel products.