The studies of nodular graphite cast iron early stages austempering

The results of early stage of ductile cast iron austempering are presented. The aim of the investigations was to look closer into the structure - mechanical properties relationships of this very attractive cast material. The experiment was carried out with enriched with Cu EN-GJS-500-7 grade ductile iron. The specimens were first solution heat treated 1 hour in 910oC and then isothermally quenched for different time in molten tin at the temperature 275°C. The mechanical properties of as cast and heat treated specimens were tested to evaluate tensile Rm and yield strength R p, 0.2 and elongation A5. Additionally hardness measurements were carried out using Brinell-Rockwell method. Structure of the specimens both as cast and after austempering was studied using conventional light microscopy. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied for fracture surface observations. It was concluded that short time low temperature austempering lead to formation martensitic microstructure characterized by very high hardness with almost zero ductility. The lack of ductility make the material very sensitive to any structure defects which work as a stress concentrators which strongly influence the strength of heat treated ductile iron specimens.