High temperature cast iron with niobium and having compacted graphite structures

A product comprising an iron casting alloy comprising iron present in an amount of about 88-91% by weight, carbon present in an amount of about 3.0-3.6% by weight, silicon present in an amount of about 4.0-4.6% by weight, niobium present in an amount of about 0.4-0.7% by weight, manganese in an amount of 0.05% or less by weight, sulfur in an amount of about 0.02% by weight or less, phosphorus in an amount of about 0.07% by weight or less, nickel in an amount of about 0.6% by weight or less, wherein the carbon is present in a form comprising compacted graphite structures.

A method of making compacted graphite iron, comprising:

• forming a ferrous alloy melt comprising iron present in an amount of about 88-91% by weight, carbon present in an amount of about 3.0-3.6% by weight, silicon present in an amount of about 4.0-4.6% by weight, niobium present in an amount of about 0.4-0.7% by weight, and causing the melt to form compacted graphite particles upon solidification;
• solidifying said melt to form a compacted graphite iron casting.