A method for the production of cast iron starting from pre-reduced iron ore (DRI) with an electric arc furnace includes the steps of preparing a charge of pre-reduced iron ore DRI having a metallization higher than 90% and containing over 2.8% by weight of carbon, wherein at least 80% of the carbon is combined with the iron to form iron carbide Fe.sub.3C; charging the charge of pre-reduced iron ore into the electric arc furnace; and melting the DRI charge to form liquid cast iron having at least 80% by weight of actual carbon content deriving from the carbon in the charge of pre-reduced iron ore, the melting step being in a reducing atmosphere and in a melting chamber of the electric arc furnace subjected to a positive internal pressure generated by the gases produced by reduction reactions that develop during melting.

A method for the production of cast iron starting from pre-reduced iron ore (DRI) with an electric arc furnace includes the steps of preparing a charge of pre-reduced iron ore DRI having a metallization higher than 90% and containing over 2.8% by weight of carbon, wherein at least 80% of the carbon is combined with the iron to form iron carbide Fe.sub.3C; charging the charge of pre-reduced iron ore into the electric arc furnace; and melting the DRI charge to form liquid cast iron having at least 80% by weight of actual carbon content deriving from the carbon in the charge of pre-reduced iron ore, the melting step being in a reducing atmosphere and in a melting chamber of the electric arc furnace subjected to a positive internal pressure generated by the gases produced by reduction reactions that develop during melting.

The present invention refers to a vermicular cast iron alloy specially designed for internal combustion engine blocks and heads having special requirements of mechanical strength and fatigue strength. Vermicular iron alloy with high mechanical strength and high fatigue strength for the production of internal combustion engines blocks and heads characterized by having a microstructure of pearlitic matrix and predominantly vermicular graphite (>70%) and presence of graphite nodules in up to 30%, wherein its graphite microstructure is described by the Microstructure Factor (FM), as defined below, with Microstructure Factor values higher than 0.94.

The present invention refers to a vermicular cast iron alloy specially designed for internal combustion engine blocks and heads having special requirements of mechanical strength and fatigue strength. Vermicular iron alloy with high mechanical strength and high fatigue strength for the production of internal combustion engines blocks and heads characterized by having a microstructure of pearlitic matrix and predominantly vermicular graphite (>70%) and presence of graphite nodules in up to 30%, wherein its graphite microstructure is described by the Microstructure Factor (FM), as defined below, with Microstructure Factor values higher than 0.94.

A method for upgrading used or rejected electric battery cells, which include upgradable compounds, such as iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and fixed and volatile carbon, and heavy metals and dangerous compounds. The used or rejected battery cells are introduced as a load into a furnace for melting metal, such as a cupola furnace, a free arc furnace, or an induction furnace. A device for purifying gases produced by the furnace and for capturing and removing noxious elements, such as mercury, chlorides, and fluorides, and heavy molecules such as dioxins, furans, and aromatic substances, is provided in a discharge route of the hot gases, downstream from the melting furnace.

A method for upgrading used or rejected electric battery cells, which include upgradable compounds, such as iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and fixed and volatile carbon, and heavy metals and dangerous compounds. The used or rejected battery cells are introduced as a load into a furnace for melting metal, such as a cupola furnace, a free arc furnace, or an induction furnace. A device for purifying gases produced by the furnace and for capturing and removing noxious elements, such as mercury, chlorides, and fluorides, and heavy molecules such as dioxins, furans, and aromatic substances, is provided in a discharge route of the hot gases, downstream from the melting furnace.

The present invention relates to the technological field of cast iron alloys for automotive and similar applications. Problem to be solved: Presently, structural parts of internal combustion engines are made of gray cast iron alloys that rarely have a tensile strength limit range greater than 350 MPa or vermicular cast iron alloys that do not remain stable at high temperatures. Solution of the problem: It is disclosed a vermicular cast iron alloy that, due to the addition of amounts of Molybdenum, Copper and Tin, with Hot Resistance Factor from 0.5 to 1.7% (HRF=3×(% Mo)+1×(% Sn)+0.25×(% Cu)) achieves a tensile strength limit of 500 to 550 MPa at room temperature and up to 300° C., and a tensile strength limit of 430 to 450 MPa at 400° C.

The present invention relates to the technological field of cast iron alloys for automotive and similar applications. Problem to be solved: Presently, structural parts of internal combustion engines are made of gray cast iron alloys that rarely have a tensile strength limit range greater than 350 MPa or vermicular cast iron alloys that do not remain stable at high temperatures. Solution of the problem: It is disclosed a vermicular cast iron alloy that, due to the addition of amounts of Molybdenum, Copper and Tin, with Hot Resistance Factor from 0.5 to 1.7% (HRF=3×(% Mo)+1×(% Sn)+0.25×(% Cu)) achieves a tensile strength limit of 500 to 550 MPa at room temperature and up to 300° C., and a tensile strength limit of 430 to 450 MPa at 400° C.

The disclosure relates to a frictional brake element for a friction brake of a motor vehicle, in particular brake disk, having a main element which is manufactured in particular from grey cast iron and which has at least one wear protection layer applied to the main element and at least one intermediate layer situated between the wear protection layer and the main element. It is provided that the intermediate layer is a metallic intermediate layer applied by laser deposition welding.

The disclosure relates to a friction brake body for a friction brake of a motor vehicle, in particular a brake disc, wherein the friction brake body comprises a base body made from gray cast iron, and at least one wear resistant layer formed at least in areas on the base body. The wear resistant layer is a laser alloyed or laser dispersed edge layer of the base body and comprises at least one additive.