Implementación de un proceso de análisis térmico para control de estructura y composición de hierro nodular NTE INEN 2499 en la empresa Fundireciclar S.A. : trabajo de integración curricular presentado como requisito para obtención del título de ingeniero Mecánico.

Abstract

Thermal analysis involves interpreting the cooling curve of materials to predict the constitution of the alloy. This tool allows for proper control of the final configuration of cast iron once solidification has concluded. The thermal analysis equipment is a device that, by taking samples of the liquid material, senses the temperatures of the material during solidification, graphs the temperature vs. time curve, and determines the critical points of this curve. In this project, an exhaustive theoretical review of the information concerning thermal analysis and its application for controlling the production process of ductile iron is carried out. Most of the information comes from scientific publications in indexed journals and theses. Additionally, training sessions were provided by a technical expert from the equipment manufacturing company. The instruction covered the use of the equipment, sampling instructions, and result interpretation. With the obtained information, samples were taken at critical stages of the ductile iron production process. Subsequently, the measurements were analyzed to establish the current behavior of the physical variables that characterize the material and its deviation from the recommendations given by the literature and the equipment manufacturer. Finally, the procedure for sampling, data analysis, and recommendations for correcting deviations was established.