Effect of bismuth on refinement of graphite in thin wall spheroidal graphite cast iron

Abstract

Although it is known that the addition of bismuth refines the graphite nodule in spheroidal graphite cast iron, the refinement mechanism has not yet been clarified. In this research, the effect of bismuth on the refinement has been investigated by examining the microstructure of the spheroidal graphite cast iron containing a small amount of bismuth. Bismuth was added at 0˙01 mass% to the spheroidal graphite cast iron melt containing 3˙5–3˙7 mass% carbon and 2˙0– 2˙8 mass% silicon, then the melt was poured into the mould to obtain the stepped test bar with 2, 3, 5 and 10 mm thicknesses. The graphite nodule increased as the bismuth content increased. The diameter of the graphite nodule decreased as the thickness decreased, namely, as the cooling rate increased. The graphite nodule was further refined by the addition of bismuth. The increase in silicon content increased the graphite nodule count and the ferrite in the matrix. It postulated that bismuth exists as simple substance or a compound in the vicinity of the nucleus of the graphite.     

Analysis of ductile cast iron solidification: numerical simulation and experimental validation

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of the solidification process of ductile cast iron under slightly hypereutectic conditions. The material thermo-microstructural behaviour is measured in tests performed using standardized cups. Cooling curves at the centre of the cup were recorded, and metallographic studies were carried out to investigate the number and size of graphite nodules at the end of the process. Different models were tested: a model based on a uninodular theory and two models which represent the multi-nodular theory. The cooling curves predicted by these models are in good agreement with the experimental measurements. Some scatter is found, however, in the numerical–experimental comparison for the graphite nodule density at different points of the sample.     

The influence of chromium on mechanical properties of austempered ductile cast iron

An investigation was carried out to examine the influence of microstructure and chromium on the tensile properties and plane strain fracture toughness of austempered ductile cast iron (ADI). The investigation also examined the growth kinetics of ferrite in these alloys. Compact tension and round cylindrical tensile specimens were prepared from ductile cast iron with Cr as well as without Cr. These specimens were then given four different heat treatments to produce four different microstructures. Tensile tests and fracture toughness tests were carried out as per ASTM standards E-8 and E-399. The crack growth mechanism during fracture toughness tests was also determined. The test results indicate that yield strength, tensile strength, and fracture toughness of ADI increases with an increase in the volume fractions of ferrite, and the fracture toughness reaches a peak when the volume fractions of the ferrite are approximately 60% in these alloys. The Cr addition was found to reduce the fracture toughness of ADI at lower hardness levels (<40 HRC); at higher hardness levels (≥40 HRC), the effect of chromium on the fracture toughness was negligible. The crack growth mechanism was found to be a combination of quasi-cleavage and microvoid coalescences, and the crack trajectories connect the graphite nodules along the way.     

石墨直径对等温淬火球铁水脆化行为的影响

研究石墨直径对等温淬火球铁(ADI)水脆化的影响。水附着条件下不同石墨直径的ADI均发生抗拉强度和伸长率显著降低的脆化行为，但随石墨直径的减小，ADI的水脆化程度明显降低。ADI水脆化是由于水分解的氢使ADI基体组织中的应力诱变产生马氏体引起氢脆而导致的。细化石墨可减少共晶边界的未转变残余奥氏体量，减少拉伸变形时的应力诱变马氏体，从而抑制ADI的水脆化。     

Wear Behaviour of Austempered Ductile Iron

Abstract

Castings are very widely used for critical friction and wear applications. As operating conditions are becoming more arduous, greater demands will be placed upon the casting industry to meet the requirements of the designer. This study was undertaken to evaluate the wear resistance of 2.5% Ni, 0.4% Mo austempered ductile iron, having a hardness of HB 270 and a high amount of retained austenite, in the particular context of a railway braking application. Pin-wear test data is presented, comparing wear behaviour of this ADI grade with that of a pearlitic grey cast iron which is currently employed as a brake block material in Iranian passenger trains, and with a 3% P cast iron which was developed in the UK.¹     

Precipitation and evolution of nodular graphite during solidification process of ductile iron

The quantity and morphology of spheroidal graphite have an important effect on the properties of ductile iron,and the characteristics of spheroidal graphite are determined by the solidification process.The aim of this work is to explore the precipitation and evolution of graphite nodules in hypoeutectic,eutectic,and hypereutectic ductile irons by thermal analysis,liquid quenching and metallographic technique.Results show that hypoeutectic ductile iron has the longest solidification time and the lowest eutectic temperature;eutectic ductile iron has the shortest solidification time;hypereutectic ductile iron has the highest eutectic temperature.After solidification is completed,hypoeutectic ductile iron has the lowest nodule count,nodularity and graphite fraction;eutectic ductile iron has the highest nodule count,nodularity and the smallest nodule diameter;hypereutectic has the highest nodule diameter and graphite fraction.The nucleation and growth of graphite nodules in hypereutectic ductile iron starts before bulk eutectic crystallization stage,however,the precipitation and evolution of graphite nodules of hypoeutectic and eutectic ductile irons mainly occur in the eutectic crystallization stage.The graphite precipitated in eutectic crystallization of hypoeutectic,eutectic,and hypereutectic ductile irons,are 61%,68% and 43% of total graphite volume fraction,respectively.Simultaneously,there are plenty of austenite dendrites in hypoeutectic and hypereutectic ductile irons,which are prone to shrinkage defects.Therefore,the eutectic ductile iron has the smallest shrinkage tendency.     

Eutectic cell and nodule count in cast irons

Abstract

In the present work the predictions based on a theoretical analysis aimed at elucidating of eutectic cell count or nodule count N were experimentally verified. The experimental work was focused on processing flake graphite and ductile cast irons under various inoculation conditions in order to achieve various physicochemical states of the experimental melts. In addition, plates of various wall thicknesses s, were cast and the resultant eutectic cell or nodule counts were established. Moreover, thermal analysis was used to find out the degree of maximum undercooling for the graphite eutectic ΔT _m. A relationship was found between the eutectic cell or nodule count and the maximum undercooling ΔT _m. In addition, it was also found that N can be related to the wall thickness of plate shaped castings. Finally, the present work provides a rationale for the effect of technological factors such as the melt chemistry, inoculation practice, and holding temperature and time on the resultant cell count or nodule count of cast iron. In particular, good agreement was found between the predictions of the theoretical analysis and the experimental data.     

Microdeformation of soft particles in metal matrix composites

In this study, microdeformation of soft particles in metal matrix composites was investigated. For that purpose, two different types of ductile iron having different metal matrix microstructures were tensile stressed and compressed. It was found that graphite nodules do not change their shape during tensile stressing, only decohesion occurs on the graphite and metal matrix interface. However, compression testing at room temperature resulted in a significant change in graphite shape. A relationship between average aspect ratio of graphite after various degrees of compression and bulk material deformation was devised. Furthermore, graphite nodule and metal matrix microdeformation was compared to bulk material deformation. This implies that deformation process is not homogenous. It strongly depends on metal matrix microstructure and can be represented with deformation ratio (K). Deformed or deformed and cracked graphite nodules were found on the fractured surface of compressed specimens, indicating that the graphite does not turn into powder during compression at room temperature, as other previous researches found.     

Effect of C and Si on mechanical properties of austempered ductile iron

It is well known that ductile cast iron can be strengthened and toughened by austempering. The tensile strength and the fatigue strength of austempered ductile iron (ADI) are equal to those of forged steel. Previous studies have been aimed at establishing a suitable process to obtain both strength and toughness in ADI.^1,2 These studies focused on the effect of alloying such as Mo, Ni, Mn, Cu, etc. and the austempering conditions such as temperature and holding time. In this study, a new type of ADI with higher toughness and higher elongation was developed as compared with conventional ADI. A new type of ADI with a low carbon content was achieved by reducing the initial carbon content, long annealing and ordinary austempering. The suitable silicon content was found to be 2.5% and effective alloying was 0.25% Mo and 0.7% Cu to obtain maximum impact energy and elongation.     

Influence of rare earths on shrinkage porosity in thin walled ductile cast iron

Abstract

Ductile cast iron has been cast in test bars with thickness from 2 to 10 mm. The rare earth elements La and Ce have been added to some of the castings to evaluate their influence on microstructure and shrinkage tendency. Both La and Ce increased the graphite nodule count, especially for thickness of 6 mm and below. La gave the best nodule size distribution with many small nodules. La had less shrinkage tendency than Ce in the 10 mm test bars. This tendency was less pronounced for the 6 and 4 mm test bars and other factors may have a large influence at these thicknesses. Increasing the temperature T ₁, which is controlled by the growth of off-eutectic austenite dendrites, increased the shrinkage tendency.     

Repair welding of ductile cast iron by laser cladding process: microstructure and mechanical properties

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the feasibility of a newly developed process in the repair of cracked gas turbine casings made of ductile cast iron. This study investigated the microstructural characteristics, metallurgy and mechanical properties of the repair weldments produced using fibre laser cladding. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and element probe microanalysis were used to investigate the microstructure at the cladding weld interface. The mechanical properties of the cladded specimens were evaluated after laser cladding. Our results revealed that the weldability of ductile cast iron can be enhanced by performing laser surface pretreatment to sublimate graphite nodules. Microhardness at the interface of the laser cladded weldments depended largely on the range of the heat affected zone and the degree of phase complexity. Under tensile loading, failures were limited to the base metal region of the weldments. Test results demonstrate that the impact toughness of the interface between the fusion zone and the base metal can be enhanced through the application of post-cladding heat treatment.     

金属型对灰铸铁和球铁力学性能的影响研究

采用铜合金金属型和铸铁金属型浇注灰铸铁和球铁Y形试块，加入不同量的Mn、Ti、Cu和Sn，研究金属型材料和添加合金对灰铸铁和球铁抗拉强度和疲劳强度的影响。结果发现：与采用铸铁金属型浇注相比，未加合金、采用铜合金金属型浇注的灰铸铁和球铁的力学性能略高。采用铜合金铸型浇注时，由于冷速较快，使石墨和基体组织细化的作用较强，添加合金元素改善力学性能的作用较为明显，而且反复浇注时，铜合金金属型的热应力较小。因此，灰铸铁和球铁采用铜合金金属型铸造比采用铸铁金属型有利。     

风电底座球铁铸件力学性能与金相组织的研究

对比分析了QT400-18AL风电球墨铸铁件底座的本体以及附铸试块的力学性能、金相组织,结果表明：珠光体以及夹杂物的存在对铸件本体力学性能有不利影响,使本体性能与附铸试块相比存在很大的差异,需要对生产过程作严格的质量控制;珠光体体积分数越高,低温冲击值及其伸长率越低;石墨球直径越小,石墨分布越均匀,低温冲击值、伸长率以及抗拉强度越高;石墨球数增加,低温冲击值以及伸长率呈增加的趋势.     

Trace Elements in Nodular and Compacted Graphite in Cast Iron

Abstract

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) was used to qualitatively analyse the distribution of trace solutes in nodules, compacted graphite (CG) particles, and the surrounding matrix in Mg-treated cast iron. In both nodular- and compacted-graphite cast iron, Mg was clearly observed to be present in the graphite particles. Ca and Ti were also observed in the particles at lower levels than Mg. The S was uniformly distributed at a low level throughout the cast iron, with higher concentrations in graphite particles containing Mg and Ca. The distribution of oxygen was also observed to be uniform throughout the graphite and matrix, with higher ion signals than S. The present results support the theory of nodule or compacted graphite growth in which the nodularising elements Mg or Rare Earths are incorporated into the graphite lattice during growth, or adsorbed onto the prismatic or pyramidal planes. The results do not support the theories which assume the nodularising elements react with Al and S, indirectly affecting nodular growth.     

DUCTILE FRACTURE OF FERRITE NODULAR GRAPHITE CAST IRON UNDER MULTIAXIAL TENSILE STRESS

为研究多轴应力下铁素体球铁延性断裂机制,采用三种不同曲率半径(ρ=2,4,10mm)的缺口圆柱试样进行拉伸试验,并用大弹塑性变形有限元分析法计算试样缺口部位的应力、应变分布。在中断拉伸试样上进行金相观察,跟踪石墨球与基体界面处微空洞的形核和长大。研究结果表明,当石墨球与基体界面处的应力到达650MPa时,微空洞形核,空洞长大和聚合导致延性断裂。     

Microstructural analysis of EN-GJS-450-10 ductile cast iron via vibrational casting

EN-GJS-450-10 ductile cast iron was produced with and without vibration to evaluate microstructural features.To investigate the effect of vibration,a reference,and two different castings having amplitudes of 0.9 mm and 1.8 mm were cast with a fixed vibration frequency of 50 Hz.The nodule count (density),form (type),size distribution,nodularity,and the fraction of graphite,percentages of both ferrite and pearlite phases,length of ferrite shell,and pore,were evaluated via optical microscopy using an image analysis software.It is observed that the microstructure of the cast iron is more uniform by vibrational casting than that by non-vibrational casting.Additionally,mechanical vibration enhances nodule count and nodularity,also,more ferritic matrix could be obtained after the application of vibration.Nodule count and nodularity of vibrational casting with 1.8 mm amplitude increased from 226 nodule per mm~2 and 80% to 311 nodule per mm~2 and 86.5% of non-vibrational casting.Percentages of ferrite and graphite area dramatically improved from 24% and 16.5% for non-vibrational casting to 57% and 22.3% for vibrational casting with 1.8 mm amplitude,whereas the percentages of pearlite and pores decreased significantly from 56.1% and 5% to 20% and 1%,respectively.     

The effect of graphite shape on the tensile deformation behaviour in hot-swaged and hot-rolled ferritic spheroidal graphite cast iron

The shape of the graphite nodules in ferritic spheroidal graphite (SG) cast iron is changed by hot-swaging and hot-rolling, when symmetric ellipsoidal graphite and asymmetric ellipsoidal graphite can be obtained, respectively. For the symmetric ellipsoidal graphite, the graphite shape ratio tends to decrease with increasing reduction ratio. The increase of flow stress with increasing reduction ratio can be explained by the decrease in the stress concentration induced by the graphite with increasing reduction ratio. On the other hand, the graphite shape ratio is more complex for the asymmetric ellipsoidal graphite than the symmetric ellipsoidal graphite specimens. The graphite shape ratio tends to increase and decrease with increasing reduction ratio in two transverse directions. As a result, a balance exists in the specimen between increasing and decreasing stress concentration, showing that the tensile flow stress is independent of reduction ratio.

To understand the effect of the graphite shape ratio on the tensile flow stress during tensile deformation, specimens with different carbon contents and graphite shape ratios were used in this study. Furthermore, the triaxial parameter (k₁) has been defined such that the larger stress concentration effect will have the larger k₁ value. Based on the present experimental results, the graphite shape ratio tends to decrease with increasing reduction ratio or tensile strain, so that the stress concentration effect and triaxial parameter (K₁) tend to decrease with increasing reduction ratio and tensile strain. Therefore, the effect of the graphite nodules in ferritic SG cast iron on the tensile flow stress is not only reduction of the effective area fraction of the matrix but also development of an uneven triaxial stress field.     

Effect of Bi on graphite morphology and mechanical properties of heavy section ductile cast iron

To improve the mechanical properties of heavy section ductile cast iron, bismuth （Bi） was introduced into the iron. Five castings with different Bi content from 0 to 0.014 wt.% were prepared; and four positions in the casting from the edge to the center, with different solidification cooling rates, were chosen for microstructure observation and mechanical properties test. The effect of the Bi content on the graphite morphology and mechanical properties of heavy section ductile cast iron were investigated. Results show that the tensile strength, elongation and impact toughness at different positions in the five castings decrease with a decrease in cooling rate. With an increase in Bi content, the graphite morphology and the mechanical properties at the same position are improved, and the improvement of mechanical properties is obvious when the Bi content is no higher than 0.011wt.%. But when the Bi content is further increased to 0.014wt.%, the improvement of mechanical properties is not obvious due to the increase of chunky graphite number and the aggregation of chunky graphite. With an increase in Bi content, the tensile fracture mechanism is changed from brittle to mixture ductile-brittle fracture.     

Microstructure and cavitation behaviour of alloyed austempered ductile irons

In this paper, the study of cavitation behaviour of austempered ductile iron (ADI) alloyed with copper, as well as copper and nickel with a fully ausferritic microstructure, is presented. The ADI materials used were austenitized at 900 °C and austempered at 350 °C having an ausferrite microstructure with 16 and 19% of austenite, respectively. The experimental investigations were conducted using the ultrasonically induced cavitation test method. The results show that the cavitation damage was initiated at graphite nodules, as well as in the interface between a graphite nodule and an ausferrite matrix. The cavitation rate revealed that the ADI material alloyed with Cu + Ni austempered at 350 °C/3 h has a higher cavitation resistance in water than ADI alloyed with Cu. An increased cavitation resistance of the ADI material alloyed with Cu and Ni is due to the matrix hardening by stress assisted phase transformation of austenite into the martensite (SATRAM) phenomenon.     

Mechanical characteristics of spheroidal graphite cast irons containing Ni and Mn with mixed ferrite and bainitic ferrite microstructure

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the influence of additive elements of Ni and Mn on tensile and impact properties of three kinds of spheroidal graphite cast irons (SG irons), which are as cast, annealed and austempered samples. Spheroidal graphite cast irons with Ni (0–4˙5 mass-%) and Mn (0–0˙5 mass-%) melted by a high frequency induction furnace and cast into a Y block CO₂ mould with 30 mm in thickness. From the viewpoint of heat treatment, tensile strength and hardness of SG irons become larger in the order of ferritised<as cast<austempered ones. Matrix structures of SG irons, which are conducted to austempering treatment from α and γ mixture range, consists of bainitic ferrite with high toughness. Austempered SG iron with 3%Ni in 0˙1%Mn series is found to become higher tensile strength compound with elongation and toughness of 901 MPa, 17% and 915 kJ m^?2.