The Microstructure of Graphite Spherulites in Cast Iron

The microstructure of graphite spherulites （G.S.） in Ce addition ductile cast iron was carried out using transmission electron microscopy （TEM） techniques. The structral characterization of the graphites is as following: there are platelets growing along the periphery as well as fan-like structure formed from platelet aggregates in the diameter section of spherulite, in which most of the platelets are with sizes ranging from several to tens nm in radial; the 001 direction of the platelets would have a tend to parallel to radial of the G. S. and meanwhile, they also a small misorientation deviated from the radial among the platelets each other. It shows that the anisotropy of graphites has been restrained by adding Ce element in cast iron and the structural characterization of the G. S. is consistent with the Double’ s model of the conical helixes formed in helical growing and branching.