A slide ring includes a main body composed of grey cast iron, wherein at least a partial region of a functional surface has a ledeburitic microstructure at the surface. A method for producing such a slide ring includes heating a functional surface of the slide ring by irradiating with high-energy radiation, wherein the irradiation is carried out so that at least a partial region of the irradiated surface is remelted, wherein the parameters of the irradiation are selected so that at least a partial region of the functional surface has a ledeburitic microstructure after cooling.

A slide ring includes a main body composed of grey cast iron, wherein at least a partial region of a functional surface has a ledeburitic microstructure at the surface. A method for producing such a slide ring includes heating a functional surface of the slide ring by irradiating with high-energy radiation, wherein the irradiation is carried out so that at least a partial region of the irradiated surface is remelted, wherein the parameters of the irradiation are selected so that at least a partial region of the functional surface has a ledeburitic microstructure after cooling.

The disclosure relates to a process for producing a hardened and tempered component made of specially heat-treated cast iron (e.g., AGI). According to the disclosure, a main body made of cast iron is prepared which may already be in the shape of an engine block. The main body may then be subjected to pre-machining, which may include forming one or more bores. Then, the main body may be hardened and tempered by a suitable heat treatment, such as a special heat treatment. After the disclosed heat treatment, post-processing of the component may follow, such as establishing the final dimensions.

The disclosure relates to a process for producing a hardened and tempered component made of specially heat-treated cast iron (e.g., AGI). According to the disclosure, a main body made of cast iron is prepared which may already be in the shape of an engine block. The main body may then be subjected to pre-machining, which may include forming one or more bores. Then, the main body may be hardened and tempered by a suitable heat treatment, such as a special heat treatment. After the disclosed heat treatment, post-processing of the component may follow, such as establishing the final dimensions.

The sideframe and bolster of a railway car truck are constructed such that basic overall sideframe and bolster appearance is maintained, but the actual material it is constructed of is changed. The material used is changed from cast steel to an austempered metal, such as, cast austempered ductile iron; whereas cast iron has a density, 0.26 lbs/in^3, which is approximately 8% less than steel, 0.283 lbs/in^3. This immediately allows for a reduction in weight. A second benefit is that iron is easier to pour than steel and actually increases in volume, slightly, as metal cools compared to steel which shrinks. Efficient use of materials is improved, meaning less metal is used to make the same final shape, as a way of reducing the sideframe and bolster weight. Both factures combined allow for a lighter weight railway car truck, sideframe and bolster, while utilizing standard designs.

A pressure-limiting valve includes a housing and a pressure adjustment device provided therein. The pressure-limiting valve further includes a valve seat arranged in the housing and configured to be closed by a spring-loaded closing element of the pressure adjustment device. The housing is composed of cast iron having spherical graphite. The housing is surface-hardened at least in a region of the valve seat.

A pressure-limiting valve includes a housing and a pressure adjustment device provided therein. The pressure-limiting valve further includes a valve seat arranged in the housing and configured to be closed by a spring-loaded closing element of the pressure adjustment device. The housing is composed of cast iron having spherical graphite. The housing is surface-hardened at least in a region of the valve seat.

A method and system for processing an engine block that includes a cylinder liner. The engine block having a first material with different coefficient of thermal expansion than a second material forming the cylinder liner. The method includes providing an insulating barrier to the cylinder liner, and quenching the engine block. The insulating barrier provides a lower cooling rate to the second material forming the cylinder liner than a cooling rate for the first material forming the engine block during the quenching.

A method and system for processing an engine block that includes a cylinder liner. The engine block having a first material with different coefficient of thermal expansion than a second material forming the cylinder liner. The method includes providing an insulating barrier to the cylinder liner, and quenching the engine block. The insulating barrier provides a lower cooling rate to the second material forming the cylinder liner than a cooling rate for the first material forming the engine block during the quenching.

An iron-based alloy includes, in weight percent, carbon from about 2 to about 3 percent; manganese from about 0.1 to about 0.4 percent; silicon from about 0.3 to about 0.8 percent; chromium from about 11.5 to about 14.5 percent; nickel from about 0.05 to about 0.6 percent; vanadium from about 0.8 to about 2.2 percent; molybdenum from about 4 to about 7 percent; tungsten from about 3 to about 5 percent; niobium from about 1 to about 3 percent; cobalt from about 3 to about 5 percent; boron from zero to about 0.2 percent; and the balance containing iron and incidental impurities. The alloy is suitable for use in elevated temperature applications such as in valve seat inserts for combustion engines.