HOT TOPICS

Issue # 7, 2006
Effect of Bismuth in Ductile Iron

Bismuth can be both harmful and helpful in ductile iron depending on the amount that is in the
iron and the remaining amounts of rare earth metals.
Basic Elemental Information
Element
Bismuth

Atomic Symbol
Bi

Atomic Number
83

Atomic Weight
208.98

Melting Point
520.7F

Boiling Point
2847F

Methods of introduction
One method for the introduction of bismuth is through charge materials. Besides its use as an
alloy in non-ferrous metals, bismuth can be found in malleable iron castings. With its low
melting point alloys, bismuth can also come in through fire suppression items like sprinkler
heads. Some permanent magnets might also have bismuth as a base. And as always, bismuth
can be present in some solders.
Bismuth can also be added on purpose through the use of specialized inoculants. Bi cones are
also sometime used. The recovery of Bi is very low and should be calculated for your addition
type. Concentrations and addition rates need to be tightly monitored and controlled.
Negative Effects of Bi
Bismuth reacts in ductile iron similar to antimony and lead. Bismuth is a graphite shape-forming
element. Its low melting point most likely forms a film in the cell boundaries where bismuth can
then have a very adverse effect on graphite shape. The result will be that of low nodularity iron,
areas of flake graphite.
Bismuth can also have a negative effect on the recovery of the magnesium addition. It has been
reported that up to a 25 % (1) reduction in magnesium recovery can be seen. Also surface
defects in green sand molds have been reported due to the interaction with bentonite binders.
Eliminating the Negative Effects
Minor additions of Ce or other rare earths can offset the negative effects of bismuth. Rates as
low as 0.005% Ce can offset the deleterious effects of bismuth and return the structure to fully
nodular. Of course this amount can vary depending on other deleterious elements present and
other offsetting rare earth additions.

Positive Effects of Bi
When bismuth is added in conjunction with cerium the results can be quite positive. With minor
addition rates of 0.003% to 0.005% bismuth and the addition of cerium, nodule counts have been
reported to increase up to 6 times in thin wall castings. Others report increases of 2 to 3 fold.
This is due to the very stable Ce-Bi compounds that form. These compounds act as more
nucleation site. In heavy section casting this combination lead to smaller or more nodules. Again
with the increase in nodule forming sites and the fact that these compounds are reported to be
slightly denser, less carbon floatation is reported.
Mechanical Property Effects
For the majority of mechanical properties reported, the effects of bismuth with or without cerium
additions correlate with the resultant microstructure. Hence if the structure is degraded, the
properties are degraded. If the microstructure is improved so are the properties. There does
seem to be some change reported in Charpy V-notched results. Maximum values at ambient
temperatures are reported lower when bismuth is used in the presence of cerium. However, the
impact transition temperature is lowered with the bismuth addition and therefore the results can
be superior when castings are required to operate below 20oC.

(1) Reference DIS Project #27

w/ Bi Addtion

w/o Bi Addition

Scott Gledhill , Manager of Technology, Thyssen Krupp Waupaca

References:
R. Barton & C. Moss: :Effect of bismuth and other trace elements on graphite nodule count in
nodular iron, BCIRA Journal, Vol. 15, 1967.

F.Lotaert, P. Hilaire, C. Staroz: Development of More Poweful Inoculants for Spheroidal

Graphite Irons:, The Bulletin of the Bismuth Institute, 1983.
M. Fallon: The Effect of Some Trace Elements in Cast Iron, Indian Foundry Journal, June,
1980.
S. Subramanian et al: Rare Earths in Ductile Iron Production: A Critical Review, DIS Project
#27, 1996.
AFS: The Ductile Iron Handbook. AFS Des Plaines, IL. 1992.
ASM: Metals Handbook Vol 15. ASM Int. 1992.