Inoculation is the introduction of nucleating agents, usually based on ferrosilicon, into an iron melt. It increases the number of crystallization nuclei and thereby controls graphite formation during solidification. The chemical composition of the melt changes only slightly; this is what distinguishes inoculation from alloying. The inoculants are usually introduced into the casting stream in powder form during casting. If a very large quantity of inoculant is needed because of special requirements, the use of wire injection devices is recommended. Inoculation prior to the filling of the iron into a heated casting unit can lead to increased formation of deposits in the channel inductor or the inductor neck.
References
- Herbert H. Netzel: Induktionsofenhandbuch. 3rd edition, Eigenverlag IES, Witten 2003, p. 80.