Resources & FAQ
At Fonderie Schlumberger, we work with three families of cast iron – lamellar (GL), spheroidal (GS) and austempered (ADI) – comprising around twenty grades to meet the full range of mechanical requirements across the industry.
Cast iron with lamellar graphite – GL
| Nuance EN | Standards DIN | Rm (MPa) | HB hardness | Machinability | Areas of application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN-GJL-250 | GG25 | 250 | 180–250 | Very good | Machine frames, for machines, casings, structural parts |
| EN-GJL-HB215 | — | — | >215 | Very good | Grade classified by hardness rather than strength; components requiring a controlled hardness |
| EN-GJL-300 | GG30 | 300 | 200–275 | Very good | Pump casings, parts subject to moderate pressure |
| EN-GJL-350 | GG35 | 350 | 220–290 | Bonne | Guides, guide rails, parts with high wear resistance |
| Lamellar cast iron does not have a defined elastic limit nor a defined elongation, a characteristic inherent in its graphitic structure. | |||||
Spheroidal graphite cast iron – GS
| Nuance EN | Standards DIN | Rm (MPa) | Rp0,2 (MPa) | A (%) | HB hardness | Machinability | Areas of application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN-GJS-400-18 | GGG40 | 400 | 240 | 18 | 130–175 | Very good | Pipes, fittings, parts ductile |
| EN-GJS-400-18-LT | GGG40-3 | 400 | 240 | 18 | 130–175 | Very good | Applications with resilience down to -20°C |
| EN-GJS-400-18-RT | — | 400 | 240 | 18 | 130–175 | Very good | Resilience guaranteed at ambient temperature |
| EN-GJS-400-15 | GGG40 | 400 | 250 | 15 | 130–180 | Very good | Pièces en fatigue, vilebrequins, bielles |
| EN-GJS-450-10 | — | 450 | 310 | 10 | 160–210 | Bonne | Parts with resistance in between |
| EN-GJS-450-18 | — | 450 | 270 | 18 | 140–200 | Bonne | Parts ductile high strength |
| EN-GJS-500-7 | GGG50 | 500 | 320 | 7 | 170–230 | Bonne | Gears, pinions, transmission |
| GJS-550-6 | — | 550 | 350 | 6 | 180–240 | Bonne | Equivalent ASTM A536 80-55-06 |
| EN-GJS-600-3 | GGG60 | 600 | 370 | 3 | 190–270 | Average | Parts with high mechanical strength |
| EN-GJS-700-2 | GGG70 | 700 | 420 | 2 | 225–305 | Average | Crankshafts heavy, parts subject to high stress |
| EN-GJS-800-2 | GGG80 | 800 | 480 | 2 | 245–335 | Difficult | High wear resistance, wear parts |
Cast irons austempered ADI
ADI requires a specific heat treatment following casting. The selection of the grade and the feasibility are analysed as part of the co-design process. Our technicians analyse your specification forspecifications and provide you with guidance right from the co-design phase.
| Nuance EN | Standards DIN | Rm (MPa) | Rp0,2 (MPa) | A (%) | HB hardness | Machinability | Areas of application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN-GJS-800-10 | GGG-70-2 ADI | 800 | 500 | 10 | 250–310 | Average | Parts with dynamic high toughness |
| EN-GJS-800-10-RT | — | 800 | 500 | 10 | 250–310 | Average | Applications dynamiques basse température |
| EN-GJS-900-8 | — | 900 | 600 | 8 | 280–340 | Average | Engrenages, transmission lourde |
| EN-GJS-1050-6 | GGG-100 ADI | 1050 | 700 | 6 | 300–360 | Difficult | High strength and toughness combined |
| EN-GJS-1200-3 | GGG-120 ADI | 1200 | 850 | 3 | 340–400 | Difficult | Wear parts, abrasive applications |
| EN-GJS-1400-1 | GGG-140 ADI | 1400 | 1100 | 1 | 380–480 | Very difficult | Résistance maximale, applications extrêmes |
You don’t know which shade to choose?
Our technicians analyse your specifications and provide you with guidance right from the co-design phase.
FAQ
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our business, our processes and our capabilities.
Foundry & materials
Lamellar graphite (GL) cast iron offers good castability and excellent vibration-damping properties. It is suitable for frames, casings and structures subjected to continuous loads.
Ductile iron (GS) offers superior mechanical strength and ductility, making it suitable for components subjected to impact or dynamic stresses.
Austempered cast iron (ADI) combines high strength, toughness and wear resistance, and is used for the most mechanically demanding applications. The choice of grade is determined through co-design or in accordance with the requirements set out in your specifications.
We produce parts weighing between 0.1 kg and 600 kg.
Pig iron is susceptible to corrosion in damp environments. Surface treatments, such as epoxy paint and anti-corrosion coatings, can be applied through our network of partners. The choice of treatment is determined by the environment in which the component will be used.
Yes, in many cases. Cast iron offers specific advantages, such as castability, damping, cost of materials, which make it a viable alternative to cast steel, aluminium, or the mechanically welded assemblies for certain applications.
Our technicians methods analyse the feasibility and the mechanical implications right from the co-design phase.
Process & manufacturing
Yes. We produce prototypes, including using 3D sand printing for moulds and cores, without the need for dedicated tooling. This is a useful step for validating a part’s geometry and/or performance before starting series production.
From 5 to 10,000 units per year, depending on the product. Our organisation caters for both small and medium-sized production runs.
Yes, entirely. The design of the moulds and core boxes is carried out in-house using SolidWorks. The manufacture of the tooling is also coordinated by our teams. This enables us to manage lead times and ensure consistency between design and production.
Yes. If you provide us with an existing component or a drawing, our technicians will assess its suitability for casting and, if necessary, propose a redesign focusing on cost and performance, geometry, material grade and wall thicknesses. The aim is to optimise the component for the casting process without compromising its functional performance.
No. Depending on the scope defined at the outset of the project, we can supply a raw component in accordance with the drawings, or a fully finished component that has been machined, heat-treated, painted and assembled, ready for installation on the production line. This scope is defined at the project planning stage.
Technical process / design office enquiries
The tolerances for rough castings from foundries are defined in accordance with the standard ISO 8062. We achieve class DCTG 9, which represents a < a15> level of precision high for foundry work cast iron. Machining allowances are defined during the design phase to ensure accessibility to the required final dimensions.
As a general rule, the recommended minimum wall thickness for cast iron is 7 mm, depending on the grade and geometry of the component. Thinner walls are technically feasible for certain configurations, but require a prior feasibility analysis. This is a point that is systematically checked during the design phase.
In green sand casting, a 2° draft angle is required on the demoulded surfaces. On parts formed using cores, this value is reduced to 1°. These values can be adjusted depending on the height and complexity of the geometry. Our process engineering department checks and approves the draft angles during the feasibility analysis.
Undercuts are produced using the core-making process. We have four core-making machines: three automatic Laempe machines (5, 20 and 40 litres) and one manual Alphaset machine for large cores or those with complex geometries.
The design of the boxes for nuclei is entirely carried out in-house.
That said, undercuts have a direct impact on the cost of the part. Our process engineers can help you minimise them right from the co-design phase, to achieve a more cost-effective solution without compromising on functionality.
Yes. We use the Nova Flow software to support the technical expertise of our process engineers. Simulation enables us to ensure the reliability of the gating and feeding processes for complex components, and to anticipate the risk of sink marks or porosity before production begins.
Yes, subject to a feasibility assessment carried out as part of the co-design process. The integration of metal inserts is possible, depending on the nature of the insert, its position within the component and the thermal constraints associated with the casting process.
Quality & certifications
ISO 9001 for the quality management system. Marine certifications issued by Bureau Veritas, Lloyd’s Register, DNV and ABS for naval applications. EcoVadis for the assessment of our CSR performance.
Every item is traced from the raw material right through to delivery. Spectrometric analyses, production parameters and inspection results are documented and archived. This traceability is available for every order on request.
We carry out a range of inspections for dimensional accuracy, using ultrasound, penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing and radiography. The methods used depend on the requirements of the specification and the standards applicable to each sector.
Yes, using equipment appropriate to the complexity of the part: conventional tools and Faro 3D measuring arms for complex geometries. The frequency and methods of inspection are defined in accordance with the monitoring plan associated with each part number.
Yes. Dimensional inspection reports, material certificates (3.1 and 3.2) and the results of non-destructive testing can be provided in accordance with the requirements of the specifications.
Logistics & delivery
We deliver throughout Europe.
Yes. We can arrange for the goods to be delivered directly to your site. The arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the project and the destination.
This is a matter best discussed directly with our sales teams, depending on your specific requirements. We adapt to our customers’ supply constraints for recurring items.
Environment & CSR
Our energy audit was carried out as part of an action plan to reduce our environmental footprint. We have filtration systems in place for our gaseous emissions (with levels well below regulatory thresholds). Raw materials – cast iron and sand – are systematically recycled. Our CSR approach is assessed annually by EcoVadis.
Yes. The moulding sand is recycled in a closed-loop system as part of our production process. Non-reusable residues are processed by specialist contractors.
Yes, a carbon footprint assessment is carried out annually. It covers all our production activities and forms the basis for our reduction measures.