Welding compositions for improved mechanical properties in the welding of cast iron

1. A weld deposit produced from a coated welding electrode for use in welding cast irons, the weld deposit composition comprising:

between 54% and 60% nickel;

between 3.5% and 5.5% manganese;

between 0.9% and 1.4% carbon, the carbon being present as nodular graphite;

approximately 1.0% silicon;

approximately 0.03% sulfur;

approximately 0.2% copper;

approximately 0.5% aluminum; and

between approximately 33.0% and approximately 41.5% iron;

wherein the coated welding electrode comprises a coating composition comprising between 0.3% and 4.0% magnesium and rare earth metals and oxides;

wherein a percentage of nickel in the weld deposit composition is greater than a percentage of nickel in a welding electrode core from which the weld deposit is formed.

2. The weld deposit composition according to claim 1 , wherein the coated welding electrode further comprises a core wire having approximately 50% nickel and approximately 50% iron.

3. A weld deposit composition essentially consisting of:

between approximately 54% and approximately 60% nickel;

between approximately 3.5% and approximately 5.5% manganese;

between approximately 0.9% and approximately 1.4% carbon;

approximately 1.0% silicon;

approximately 0.03% sulfur;

approximately 0.2% copper;

approximately 0.5% aluminum; and

between approximately 33.0% and approximately 41.5% iron;

wherein the weld deposit is carbide-free and the carbon is present in the form of nodular graphite;

wherein the weld deposit composition contains a greater percentage of nickel than is in the coated welding electrode from which it is formed.