compacted graphite iron
Compacted graphite iron (CGI), also known as vermicular graphite iron (GJV, VG,{{Citation | title = Vermicular Graphite Cast Iron | url = http://steel.keytometals.com/default.aspx?ID=CheckArticle&NM=263 | accessdate = 2010-01-18 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20111006075356/http://steel.keytometals.com/default.aspx?ID=CheckArticle&NM=263 | archivedate = 2011-10-06 | postscript = . | url-status = dead }} JV{{Citation | last = Martin | first = Thomas | last2 = Weber | first2 = Rolf | title = Compacted Vermicular Cast Iron (GJV) for the Audi V8 Diesel Engine | date = October 1904 | url = http://www.atzonline.com/index.php;do=show/site=a4e/sid=18298892434b54b2a09a919957596548/alloc=3/id=2379 | accessdate = 2010-01-18 | postscript =.}} or GGV from the {{langx|de|"Gusseisen mit Vermiculargraphit"}}{{Citation | last = Roos | first = E. | last2 = Maile | first2 = K. | title = Werkstoffkunde für Ingenieure: Grundlagen, Anwendung, Prüfung | language = German | page = 216 | publisher = Springer | year = 2008 | edition = 3rd | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=FQnrovycutoC&pg=PT227 | isbn = 978-3-540-68398-8 | postscript =.}}) especially in non-English speaking countries,{{Citation |first=Dr. Steve |last=Dawson |contribution=Compacted Graphite Iron – A Material Solution for Modern Diesel Engine Cylinder Blocks and Heads |url=http://www.foundryinfo-india.org/tech_section/pdf/19_OP.pdf |series=World Foundry Congress |year=2008 |pages=93–99 |place=Chennai, India |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726062415/http://www.foundryinfo-india.org/tech_section/pdf/19_OP.pdf |archivedate=2011-07-26 |postscript=. |url-status=dead |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-01-18 }} is a metal which is gaining popularity in applications that require either greater strength, or lower weight than cast iron.
R.D. Schelleng obtained a patent for the production of compacted graphite iron in 1965.{{cite web|url=http://asmcommunity.asminternational.org/portal/site/www/AsmStore/ProductDetails/?vgnextoid=f7f44ef322e18110VgnVCM100000701e010aRCRD|title=Compacted Graphite Iron}}
Metallurgy
The graphite in compacted graphite iron differs in structure from that in gray iron because the graphite particles are shorter and thicker.{{cite web|url=http://www.sintercast.com/data/content/DOCUMENTS/200431723285110vdi_paper.pdf|title=Compacted Graphite Iron: Mechanical and Physical Properties for Engine Design|access-date=2009-04-14|work=SinterCast|author=Steve Dawson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813100036/http://www.sintercast.com/data/content/DOCUMENTS/200431723285110vdi_paper.pdf|archive-date=2010-08-13|url-status=dead}}
Applications
The first commercial application for compacted graphite iron was for the brake discs for high-speed trains.{{cite web|url=http://www.competitiveproduction.com/features/default.aspx?article_id=1388&volume_no=3&issue_no=2|title=Why Compacted Graphite Iron?|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219013840/http://www.competitiveproduction.com/features/default.aspx?article_id=1388&volume_no=3&issue_no=2|archivedate=December 19, 2007|work=Competitive Production}}
More recently compacted graphite iron has been used for diesel engine blocks. It has proven to be useful in the manufacture of V topology diesel engines where the loading on the block is very high between the cylinder banks, and for heavy goods vehicles which use diesel engines with high combustion pressures.
It is also used for turbo housings and exhaust manifolds, in the latter case to reduce corrosion.
It is also used in NASCAR engine blocks.