The Influence of Austempering Conditions on the Machinability of a Ductile Iron

Austempering conditions such as temperature and time and their influence on austempered ductile iron machinability were analyzed. Austenitization at 910°C for 90 min and austempering into molten salt bath at 300°C, 360°C, and 420°C for 30, 60, and 90 min each were performed. Microstructures were analyzed by optical microscopy and hardness measurements. Samples were further machined in a lathe for machinability tests. The lathe was instrumented considering power and cutting time and machinability evaluation performed referring to cutting force and material removal. Microstructures at 300°C for 30 min showed ausferrite with retained austenite and martensite. Retained austenite decreased and acicular ferrite sheaves appeared at 60-min austempering time. Mixed bainite was also present at 90-min austempering. Ausferrite and retained austenite were observed in all austempering periods at 360°C, whereas at 420°C only bainite and fine pearlite were present. Hardness increased with increasing temperature at 30-min austempering and decreased with increasing time. However, an exception was observed at 420°C. The highest machinability performance was achieved at 360°C at 60-min austempering, and the lowest performance at 420°C at 90-min austempering.     

热处理对硅锰合金球铁组织与性能的影响

研究了Ｓｉ、Ｍｎ合金化球墨铸铁在不同热处理状态下的组织以及硬度、韧性和冲击磨损性能。试验结果表明，这种复相球墨铸铁材质是一种优良的抗磨材料。     

A Dilatometry Study of the Austenitization and Cooling Behavior of Ductile Iron Meant for the Production of Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI)

An understanding of the kinetics of transformation during austenitization, cooling, and austempering of ductile iron is critical to achieving the desired microstructures and ultimately mechanical properties in austempered ductile iron (ADI). To this end, dilatometry experiments have been carried out to study the austenitization and cooling behavior of an unalloyed ductile iron. When a typical austenitization temperature of 900°C is used, unlike in steels, there is an initial expansion of the specimen, which levels off as the soaking time is increased. This occurs despite the fact that the temperature remains constant. This phenomenon, hitherto unreported, highlights the subtle differences between the austenitization of ductile irons and steels. The initial expansion is attributed to the increase in austenite lattice parameter, arising from the diffusion of carbon from the graphite nodules. The levelling off signals the saturation of austenite with carbon and can therefore be used as an indicator of the appropriate austenitization time. Studies of the cooling behavior of unalloyed ductile iron have also shown that the dilatometer can be used as a tool for determining the minimum cooling rates, which guarantee the formation of ausferrite during austempering. When ductile iron is appropriately heat-treated based on results from dilatometry studies, the mechanical properties obtained are typically superior and consistent.     

奥贝球铁的现状与发展趋势

在综合大量文献资料的基础上，论述了奥贝球铁的研究和应用现状，阐述分析了存在的问题，指出了解决的途径和发展趋势。     

等温淬火球铁等温转变过程与奥贝球铁生产的若干问题

本文介绍了等温淬火球铁（ＡＤＩ）和它的一个品种──奥贝球铁。通过对文献资料的综述和分析，简述了ＡＤＩ等温转变的过程和由此引发而来的生产高质量奥贝球铁时应注意的若干问题。     

等温淬火球墨铸铁滚动磨损与损伤性能

利用不同热处理方式和球化工艺,获得两种显微组织和不同硬度的等温淬火球墨铸铁(Austempered Ductile Iron,ADI)材料,利用MMS-2A微机控制摩擦磨损试验机对比研究了两种等温淬火球墨铸铁材料、车轮材料与U71Mn钢轨匹配时的滚动磨损与损伤性能。结果表明:ADI材料与U71Mn钢轨匹配时的摩擦因数明显小于车轮材料;由于ADI材料具有自润滑效果导致其磨损率明显小于车轮材料,ADI材料的自润滑性能也降低了对摩副U71Mn钢轨的磨损率,其中含有较大球状石墨和较少残余奥氏体的ADI2材料和对摩副U71Mn钢轨的磨损率最小;ADI材料的磨损机制主要表现为轻微疲劳磨损,对摩副U71Mn钢轨的磨损机制主要表现为黏着和轻微疲劳磨损,而轮轨材料匹配时的塑性流动层显著,损伤以表面疲劳裂纹和剥层损伤为主。     

Characterization of Austempered Ductile Iron Through Barkhausen Noise Measurements

The outstanding mechanical properties of austempered ductile irons (ADI) are linked to the microstructure of the matrix obtained by subjecting a ductile iron with an appropriate composition to a heat treatment called austempering. Then the microstructure of the matrix consists of bainitic ferrite with different volume fractions of retained austenite. The aim of this work is to use the magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) as a nondestructive method for characterizing the microstructure of ADI. First, it is shown that the amplitude and position of the peak-shaped MBN response is quite sensitive to the microstructure of the matrix of ductile irons. Thus each type of constituent (equiaxial ferrite, pearlite, martensite or bainite) exhibits a typical response and, in turn, it can be identified from the MBN response. Furthermore, a good correlation is found between MBN signal parameters and ADI heat treatment parameters, indicating that MBN is also quite sensitive to fine evolutions of the microstructure of ADI. MBN peak position is especially sensitive to the type of bainite, whereas peak amplitude is linked to the progress of the bainite reaction. Hence MBN measurements appear to be a powerful tool to assess some important microstructural features of ADI castings.     

Centrifuged Casting of Ductile Iron Using Composite Mold

Ductile iron is widely used in the automotive and the related industries.The cast products are produced by using centrifugal casting technique.They are high purity alloys and exhibit stability in the microstructure with similar microstructural appearance.When compared with other static casting methods, higher values in the tensile strength, % elongation, hardness, wear resistance and fatigue strength are obtained with centrifugal casting techniques. In this study, the cast products produced by the centrifugal casting technique using the composite mold consisting of ceramics and metal molds are inspected in order to observe the effect of centrifugal forces on the graphite particles present for discussing the changes observed in the graphite particle distribution, the hardness values and the microstructural formation in the direction from the outer to the center part of the cast product.     

Effect of Various Heat Treatments Particularly Austempering on Mechanical and Physical Properties of a High Mn Ductile Iron

The stable and metastable phase diagrams, microsegregation of carbon and alloying additions and the driving force for single and double austempering are reported for a ductile iron (DI) of composition: 3.5% C, 2.64% Si, 0.25% Cu, 0.25% Mo, 0.67% Mn, 0.007% P, 0.013% S, 0.04% Mg The variation with austempering time of the retained austenite volume fraction (VRA), Unreacted Austenite Volume fraction (UAV), austenite carbon content (CJ, UTS, elongation, and unnotched charpy impact energy is reported for single austempering at 400°C, 285°C, and a double austempering treatment (400°C, 120 min., then austempering at 285°C) after austenitizing at 920°C for 120 min. Finally mechanical and physical properties including strength, ductility, toughness, wear resistance, hardness, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties for the following heat treatments are compared:

ADI (upper bainitic structure) 870°C, 120 min.; 375°C, 120 min.ADI (lower bainitic structure) 870°C, 120 min., 285°C, 1 dayADI (Double austempered) 870°C, 120 min., 375°C, 120 min., 285°C, 1 dayAir cooled (mainly martensitic/ some widmanstatten ferrite): 870°C, 120 min. furnace cooled (50.7% proeutectoid ferrite/49% pearlite): 870°C, 120 min. Step-cooled (15% proeutectoid ferrite/ 85% pearlite): 870°C, 120 min., 650°C 30 min., air cooled As cast structure (39.5% proeutectoid ferrite/ 60.5% pearlite)The comparison shows that double austempering can be used with the high Mn DI to improve elongation and impact energy obtained by a single austempering. Control over the austenitizing and austempering temperatures and times in the double treatment can be used to change the relative improvements in elongation and impact energy. The results show that furnace cooled irons have the best elongation and physical properties.     

奥－贝球铁断裂与疲劳研究的新近进展

奥 -贝球铁具有很强的强度、塑性、韧性、疲劳强度和耐磨性等综合性能 ,应用日益广泛 ,已成为一种重要的工程材料。近年来对其断裂与疲劳的研究发展很快 ,得到不断的深入 ,本文详细介绍了其新近进展。     

Globular-to-needle Zn-rich phase transition during transient solidification of a eutectic Sn-9%Zn solder alloy

The aim of this article was to investigate the microstructural evolution of a eutectic Sn-9%Zn solder alloy as a function of growth rate during transient unidirectional solidification. It was found that globular-like and needle-like Zn-rich phases prevail at growth rates ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm/s and 0.3 to 0.1 mm/s, respectively, with a transition region occurring between these growth rate ranges. The microstructure control in soldering processes can be accomplished by manipulating solidification processing variables such as the cooling rate and the growth rate, since the resulting morphological microstructure depends on heat transfer conditions imposed by solidification, and as a direct consequence will affect the final properties.     

等温淬火对奥贝球铁上贝氏体转变动力学的影响

本文研究了等温淬火过程中奥氏体化温度和等温淬火温度对奥贝球铁上贝氏体第一阶段转变速度的影响及其机制；观察与测定了不同等温转变时奥贝球铁的组织与性能。结果表明，升高奥氏体化温度和等温淬火温度，使上贝氏体第一阶段转变速度减慢，在该转变结束时，奥贝球铁组织与性能最稳定。     

Fabrication of Lotus‐Structured Porous Iron by Unidirectional Solidification under Nitrogen Gas

A novel technique has been developed to fabricate lotus‐structured porous iron in which long cylindrical pores are aligned in one direction. The iron is melted and unidirectionally solidified in a pressurized gas mixture of nitrogen and argon. The process involves the dissolution of nitrogen in molten iron and the evolution of nitrogen pores due to the decrease in solubility of nitrogen during solidification. The porosity is controlled by adjusting the partial pressures of nitrogen and argon during melting and solidification. The nitrogen concentration in solid iron increases with increasing partial pressure of nitrogen at a given total pressure, leading to improvement of the mechanical properties of the porous iron.     

Effect of nodule count on austenitising and austempering kinetics of ductile iron castings and mechanical properties of thin walled iron castings

Abstract

In the present work, the potential for producing thin walled ductile iron castings with an ausferritic matrix is presented. Experimentally, thin walled iron castings of 2 mm in thickness were obtained and characterised by a nodule count of 1992 mm^?2. In addition, a reference casting was produced with a 25 mm thick wall and a nodule count of 330 mm^?2. Austenitising was carried out at 920°C, whereas austempering was implemented in the 300–400°C temperature range. The austenitising and austempering transformation rates were determined by dilatometry, and the results were confirmed by microstructural analyses. It was found that in thin walled castings, the austenitising and austempering times were reduced by either one-half or one-third of the ones corresponding to the reference casting. The exhibited mechanical properties of the thin walled castings were also determined as a function of austempering time and temperature. It was found that austempering at 300°C for 1200 s leads to thin walled castings with a tensile strength of 1500 MPa. Accordingly, from this work, it is plausible to produce high strength thin walled castings that satisfy all the ASTM 897M grades of ausferritic ductile iron through proper heat treating.     

Shape rheocasting of unmodified Al-Si binary eutectic

It is demonstrated experimentally that by using the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Rheo Casting System and high pressure die casting it is possible to semi-solid process and cast into a shape unmodified Al-Si binary eutectic without a solidification temperature range. Silicon leads the aluminium coupled crystal growth subjected to convection by induction during thermal arrest. The semi-solid structure during thermal arrest is captured after rheo-processing and casting.     

A study on microstructure and toughness of copper alloyed and austempered ductile irons

In this study, ductile irons with and without 1 wt% copper alloy were austempered to become austempered ductile irons (ADIs). Microstructure, impact toughness, and fracture toughness were evaluated to determine how both the copper alloying and austempering treatments influenced the toughness properties of ductile irons. The results show that, because copper increases the retained austenite content in ADI, the Cu-alloyed ADI has better impact toughness and fracture toughness (K_IC value) than does the unalloyed one. In particular, the impact toughness and the fracture toughness of ADI could be efficiently improved by treating the Cu-alloyed ductile iron at a higher austempering temperature (360 °C) to obtain more retained austenite in its microstructure.     

Graphite Nucleation in Cast Iron Melts Based on Solidification Experiments and Microstructure Simulation

Microstructure strongly influences the mechanical properties of cast iron. By inoculating the melt with proper inoculants, foreign substrates are brought into the melt and eventually the graphite can crystallize on them. The elements and substrates that really play a role for nucleation are yet unknown. Until now there is very little knowledge about the fundamentals of nucleation, such as composition and morphology of nuclei. In this work we utilized EN-GJL-200 as a base material and examined several produced specimens. The specimens were cast with and without inoculants and quenched at different solidification states. Specimens were also examined with a high and low oxygen concentration, but the results showed that different oxygen contents have no influence on the nucleation in cast iron melts. Our research was focused on the microscopic examination and phase-field simulations. For studying the samples we applied different analytical methods, where SEM-EDS, -WDS were proved to be most effective. The simulations were conducted by using the software MICRESS, which is based on a multiphase-field model and has been coupled directly to the TCFE3 thermodynamic database from TCAB. On the basis of the experimental investigations a nucleation mechanism is proposed, which claims MnS precipitates as the preferred site for graphite nucleation. This theory is supported by the results of the phase-field simulations.     

Effect of Si, Al and Bi on Structure and Properties of As-welded and Austempered Ductile Iron Weld Metals during Gas Welding

Effect of Si, Al and Bi on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-welded and austempered ductile iron weld metals has been studied with SEM, TEM, X-ray diffraction, image analysing system, tension and other test methods. Results show that increasing weld Si, Al and Bi content favours improving the chilling tendency of as-welded ductile iron weld and mechanical properties of austempered ductile iron weld and the mechanism is also discussed. On this basis the optimum chemical composition of weld is determined. The mechanical properties of weld and welded joint after austempering can match those of austempered ductile iron     

Ni对球墨铸铁热处理的影响

采用电子探针，图象分析仪、差质变分析仪和Ｘ射线衍仪定量研究了Ｎｉ在球铁中的分布和Ｎｉ铸态球铁组成相比例奥氏体中含碳量以及贝氏体转变ＴＴＴ曲线线的影响，结果表明，Ｎｉ在球铁中呈连续负偏析，其加入可以影响球铁组成上比例，并使粤氏体中含碳量和贝氏体转变孕育期期增加。