Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of metallurgical process variables on the properties of austempered ductile irons

  • Published:
Journal of Heat Treating

Abstract

The mechanical properties obtained in austempered ductile iron castings are dependent on metallurgical process variables, including metal composition and heat-treatment conditions. The former determines also, to a large extent, the size of section which can be fully transformed. The effects of these metallurgical variables on both the structure and mechanical properties of austempered ductile irons having predominantly bainitic structures are described, on the basis of work carried out at BCIRA and elsewhere. Areas where further work is required have been identified and include the need for more data concerning impact, fatigue, and fracture toughness properties.

Some practical aspects of the heat-treatment of these materials are reviewed, and the potential of near-net shape casting processes is briefly examined. Further extensive exploitation of these materials, particularly as gears, will require close cooperation with design engineers and the development of foundry control and inspection methods to guarantee the integrity and properties of castings supplied to the user.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. T. G. Demidova and M. N. Kunyavskii: “Isothermal Tempering of Nodular Graphite Cast Iron,”Liteinoe Proizvod., February 1955, no. 2, pp. 20–22.

  2. J. Briggs: “High-Strength Irons,” Climax Molybdenum Company, Greenwich, CT, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  3. D. A. Harris and R. J. Maitland: “Products of the Isothermal Decomposition of Austenite in a Nodular Graphite Cast Iron,” unpublished work, BCIRA.

  4. J. Dodd: “High-Strength, High-Ductility, Ductile Irons,”Mod. Cast., May 1978, vol. 68, pp. 60–66.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. T. Shiokawa: “Austempering of Nodular Cast Irons, Their Mechanical Properties and Some Practical Applications,” paper presented at the 59th Japan Ductile Cast Iron Association Conference, November 17, 1978.

  6. M. Johansson: “Austenitic-Bainitic Ductile Iron,”Trans. American Foundrymen’s Society, 1977, vol. 85, pp. 117–122.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. R. B. Grindahl and General Motors Corp.: “High-Stress Nodular Iron Gears and Method of Making Same,” US Patent 4 222 793, September 16, 1980.

  8. F. S. Rossi and B. K. Gupta: “Austempering of Nodular Cast Iron Automobile Components,”Met. Prog., April 1981, vol. 119, no. 5, pp. 25–31.

    Google Scholar 

  9. T. Hattori and K. Sato: “A Process for Production of Ductile Cast Iron Toothed Wheel,” Japanese Patent Application, 1980–172949, Toyo Kogyo Co. Ltd., filed December 8, 1980.

  10. H. Mühlberger, B. Prinz, W. Wunder, U. Schäfer and J. Bognar: “Nodular Cast-iron with a Mixed Austenitic-Bainitic Structure and Method for Its Production,” European Patent No. 0 018 445. Filing application date 5 December 1979; convention date 13 December 1978 (Germany); publication date 12 November 1980.

  11. Kymin Osakeyhtio-Kymmene Aktiebolag and J. Vourinen, Y. Ingman, M. Johansson and M. Kurkinen: “Alloyed Spheroidal Graphite Iron,” British Patent No. 1 417 435. Filing application date 11 July 1973; convention date 12 July 1972 (Finland); publication date 10 December 1975.

  12. Georg Fischer A. G., W. Hauke and K. Hornung: “Process for the Bainitic Hardening, at Least Partially Isothermally, of a Cast Iron Part,” International Patent Application (PCT) WO 83/01959. Filing application date 2 December 1982; convention date 3 December 1981 (Switzerland); publication date 9 June 1983.

  13. Pont-À-Mousson S. A. and R. Bellocci: “Centrifugally Cast Tube of Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron and Its Method of Manufacture,” UK Patent Application GB 2 117 000 A. Filing application date 16 February 1983; convention date 1 March 1982 (France); publication date 5 October 1983.

  14. P. A. Blackmore: “High-Strength Nodular Irons,” in: BCIRA, Developments for Future Foundry Prosperity.Proceedings of Conference, University of Warwick, April 2–4, 1984, Session 4, Paper 14.

  15. E. Dorazil, B. Bárta, E. Münsterová, L. Stransky, and A. Huvar: “High-Strength Bainitic Ductile Cast Iron,”AFS Int. Cast Met. J., June 1982, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 52–62.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lo-Kan: “Metallurgical and Technological Features of Rare-Earth Magnesium Nodular Cast Iron and Its Applications,” in:Proceed. 43rd International Foundry Congress, Bucharest, September 5–10, 1976, paper 35.

  17. E. Dorazil, B. Barta, J. Crhák, and E. Münsterová: “A Low-Alloy Bainitic Ductile Cast Iron,”Strojirenstvi, 1979, vol. 29, no. 8, pp. 475–478. V. E. Riecansky translation VR/1534/79.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. J. Vuorinen: “On the Strain-Hardening of Austempered Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron,” Finland, Technical Research Centre of Finland, 1981, publication 8/1981.

  19. A. Ikhlef, G. Barreau, G. Cizeron, and G. Gueref. “Structural Changes in S. G. Cast Irons During Different Types of Heat Treatment,”Hommes et Fonderie, January 1982, no. 121, pp. 9–22.

  20. R. C. Voigt: “Microstructural Analysis of Austempered Ductile Cast Iron Using the Scanning Electron Microscope,”Trans. American Foundrymen’s Society, 1983, vol. 91, pp. 253–262.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. K. B. Rundman and R. C. Klug: “An X-ray and Metallographic Study of an Austempered Ductile Cast Iron,”Trans. American Foundrymen’s Society, 1982, vol. 90, pp. 499–508.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. K. Nilsson: “Austempered and Quench-Hardened Nodular Cast Iron — Production and Mechanical Properties,” Sweden, Svenska Gjuteriföreningen, 1979, report no. 791109.

  23. I. C. H. Hughes: “The Developing Technology of Ironfounding: Some Recent Contributions and Opportunities,”British Foundryman, November 1981, vol. 74, no. 11, pp. 229–245.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. J. F. Janowak and R. B. Gundlach: “Development of a Ductile Iron for Commercial Austempering,”Trans. American Foundrymen’s Society, 1983, pp. 377–388.

  25. T. Luyendijk and H. Nieswaag: “The Influence of Silicon on the Toughness of Bainitic Ductile Iron,” in:Proceed. 50th International Foundry Congress, Cairo, November 6–11, 1983, paper 9.

  26. E. Dorazil, B. Bárta, and E. Munsterová: “Mechanical Properties of Austempered Unalloyed Nodular Cast Iron,”Giessereitechnik, March 1973, vol. 19, pp. 79–83.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. G. N. J. Gilbert: “Engineering Data on Nodular Cast Irons — SI units,” Birmingham, BCIRA, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  28. K. J. Irvine and F. B. Pickering: “High-Carbon Bainitic Steels,” in: Iron and Steel Institute, Physical Properties of Martensite and Bainite, London, ISI, 1965, pp. 110–125, ISI special report 93.

    Google Scholar 

  29. E. Dorazil, B. Bárta, and E. Münsterová: “Mechanical Properties of Isothermally Heat-Treated Nodular Cast Iron with 1.72 to 4.64 pet Si,”Slévárentsví, August 1971, vol. 19, pp. 332–335.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. E. Dorazil, J. Crhák, B. Bárta, and A. Huvar: “High-Strength Bainitic Nodular Cast Iron Alloyed with Manganese and Copper,”Slévárentsvi, February 1979, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 49–53, BISITS translation BISI 18634.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. J. Dodd, R. B. Gundlach, and J. A. Lincoln: “Advances in Process Technology and New Applications of Austempered Ductile Irons,” in: BCIRA, Developments for Future Foundry Prosperity, April 2–4, 1984, University of Warwick, session 4, paper 15.

  32. I. C. H. Hughes: “Heat-Treatment of Cast Irons — Austempering or Isothermal Heat-Treatment,”BCIRA Journal, January 1976, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 49–54, BCIRA Report 1216.

    Google Scholar 

  33. K. Jokipii: “Isothermal-Heat-Treated Nodular Iron with Austenitic-Bainitic Microstructure as Material for Gears,” in:World Congress on Gearing, Paris, France, June 1977, pp. 780–793.

  34. H. Rettig: “S. G. Iron as a Material of Construction for Gears,”The Engineer, December 10, 1965, vol. 220, pp. 968–972.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Z. Yicheng, F. Guiru, S. Juichang, Z. Yingkai, D. Yogan, W. Jizhi, and S. Huibin: “Hypoid Pinion and Ring Gears of Bainitic Nodular Iron with Shell-Moulded Cast Teeth,” in:Proceedings 46th International Foundry Congress, Madrid, Spain, September–October 1979, paper 7.

  36. A. G. Fuller: “Evaluation of the Graphite Form in Pearlitic Ductile Iron by Ultrasonic and Sonic Testing and the Effect of Graphite Form on Mechanical Properties,”Trans. American Foundrymen’s Society, 1977, vol. 85, pp. 509–526.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. A. G. Fuller: “Nondestructive Assessment of the Properties of Ductile Iron Castings,”Trans. American Foundrymen’s Society, 1980, vol. 88, pp. 751–768.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. A. G. Fuller: “Effect of Graphite Form on Fatigue Properties of Pearlitic Ductile Irons,”Trans. American Foundrymen’s Society, 1977, vol. 85, pp. 527–536.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. British Standards Institution: “Machine Cut Gears. A. Helical and Straight Spur,” BS 436:1940, London, BSI, 1940.

  40. American Gear Manufacturers Association: “Rating the Pitting Resistance and Bending Strength of Spur and Helical Involute Gear Teeth,” AGMA 218.01:Dec. 1982, Virginia, AGMA, 1982.

  41. C. Grigy and J. Le Gal: “Surface Fatigue of Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron. Attempted Improvements by Mechanical and Heat Treatments,”Fonderie-Fondeur d’Aujourdhui,” October 1981, no. 8, pp. 21–29.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. BCIRA (formerly British Cast Iron Research Association), B48 7QB, Alvechurch, Birmingham, Great Britain

    P. A. Blackmore & R. A. Harding

Authors
  1. P. A. Blackmore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. A. Harding
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Blackmore, P.A., Harding, R.A. The effects of metallurgical process variables on the properties of austempered ductile irons. J. Heat Treating 3, 310–325 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02833125

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02833125

Keywords

Search

Navigation