Tensile properties of partially austenitised and austempered ductile irons with dual matrix structures

In the present study, an unalloyed ductile iron containing Fe-3.50C-2.63Si-0.318Mn-0.047Mg (wt-%) were intercritically austenitised (partially austenitised) in two phase region alpha+gamma at various temperatures of 795, 805, 815 and 830 degrees C for 20 min and then quenched into salt bath held at austempering temperature of 365 degrees C for various times to obtain different ausferrite volume fractions (AFVFs). Results showed that dual matrix structure containing proeutectoid ferrite, new ferrite (also called epitaxial ferrite) and ausferrite (bainitic ferrite + high carbon austenite, which is retained or stabilised austenite) has been developed. Within each of the austempered series in alpha+gamma temperature range, new ferrite volume fraction increased with increasing intercitical austenitising temperature (ICAT). Although, transforming percentage of new ferrite from parent austenite present at ICAT increased with decreasing ICAT. Some specimens were also conventionally austempered from 900 degrees C for comparison. The new ferrite was absent in these samples. The volume fraction of proeutectoid ferrite, new ferrite and ausferrite can be controlled to determine the strength and ductility. Austempered specimens in alpha+gamma temperature range exhibited much greater ductility than conventionally austempered ones. The tensile strength increased while ductility decreased with increasing AFVF. On the other hand, the ductility increased with increasing proeutectoid ferrite and new ferrite volume fractions at the expense of strength. The specimen with similar to 47.2%AFVF exhibited the best combination of high strength and ductility, The strength and ductility of this material is much higher than that of ferritic grades. Its strength is at the same level as while ductility almost more than four times higher than that of pearlitic grades. Meanwhile, the specimen with similar to 75%AFVF exhibited the best combination of high strength and ductility compared with those of pearlitic grades. The strength of this material is much higher and its ductility is almost more than two times higher than that of pearlitic grades yet slightly lower than that of ferritic grades. This material also meets the requirements for the strength of quenched and tempered grades and its ductility is higher than that of this grade.