Materials Scientists from Saarbrücken make cars’ engine blocks significantly lighter

In the automobile industry’s mass production, engine blocks are usually made of cast iron. They can be produced inexpensively, but increase fuel consumption due to their weight. Hence, materials scientists are looking for procedures to make cast-iron thinner without impairing solidity. Graphite strongly influences cast iron properties and therefore is of vital importance. By applying Nano-Tomography, the scientists are now capable of determining in which form of the graphite exists and how it modifies the cast iron. With these insights, significantly lighter engine blocks may be produced prospectively.

Materials scientists are interested in a material’s chemical composition as well as its inner structure. “We are able to uncover the mostly complex geometry of a material by applying several techniques and study them down to single atoms”, Professor Mücklich explains. In order to do so, the scientists apply Nano-Tomography, a technique similar to medically used computer tomography.

For the first time, the scientists were able to demonstrate how the chemical composition, the crystalline structure and the growth of graphite can be altered in the production of cast iron.
“These findings are of major importance for applications like engine blocks, crankshafts or even castor containers, where the cast iron has to display a very high stability. Even very small alterations in the graphite structure can cause the components to behave quite differently”, says Alexandra Velichko.

Contact Information:
Frank Mücklich
Professor für Funktionswerkstoffe der Universität des Saarlandes Steinbeis-Zentrum für Werkstofftechnik / Material Engineering Center Saarland (MECS)
Tel. 0681/302-70500
muecke@matsci.uni-saarland.de

Dr. Alexandra Hatton
Wissenschaftliche Leitung J.D.Theile GmbH & Co. KG
Tel. 02304/757-131
velichko@jdt.de

Source: Saarland University