Mechanical properties optimization of as-cast ausferritic ductile iron as a function of section size and holding time

The ADI family shows the best resistance ductility relationship of the ductile iron materials due to an ausferritic microstructure. This research work is focused on the as-cast state obtention of this type of microstructures, with no need of heat treatment. It studies the effect of section size and holding time on the evolution of the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast  ausferritic ductile iron.

For that, Y block standard samples of 50.0 mm thickness and thermal analysis cups were produced using a novel engineered cooling methodology. The temperature arrest was performed at 400ºC and the hoplding time changed from 0 to 180 minutes. The obtained experimental results show that 60 minutes holding time are needed to obtain the optimal mechanical properties (U.T.S>800MPa and El.>12%).