Multiphase Ausformed Austempered Ductile Iron

Abstract

Ductile iron was subjected to a total true strain (φt) of 0.3 either by applying φt in the austenite region or by apportioning it through applying a true strain of 0.2 in the austenite region before quenching to austempering temperature (TA) of 375°C, where a true strain of 0.1 is applied (ausforming). Additionally, two types of matrices were produced in the ductile iron, namely ausferritic and ferritic-ausferritic matrices. The ferrite is introduced to the matrix by intercritical annealing after austenitization. Dilatometric measurements as well as microstructure examination showed a fast ausferrite transformation directly after applying φA and that the introduction of ferrite to the matrix resulted in a remarkable acceleration of the ausferrite formation. The transformation kinetics, microstructure evolution, hardness and compression properties are studied.

Keywords

• Ductile iron
• Thermo-mechanical processing
• Dual matrix
• Austempering
• Ausforming
• Intercritical annealing