Ultrafine Ductile and Austempered Ductile Irons by Solidification in Ultrasonic Field

In this research, ultrasonic melt treatment (UST) was used to produce a new ultrafine grade of spheroidal graphite cast iron (SG iron) and austempered ductile iron (ADI) alloys. Ultrasonic treatment was numerically simulated and evaluated based on acoustic wave streaming. The simulation results revealed that the streaming of the acoustic waves propagated as a stream jet in the molten SG iron along the centerline of the ultrasonic source (sonotrode) with a maximum speed of 0.7 m/s and gradually decreased to zero at the bottom of the mold. The metallographic analysis of the newly developed SG iron alloy showed an extremely ultrafine graphite structure. The graphite nodules’ diameter ranging between 6 and 9 µm with total nodule count ranging between 900 to more than 2000 nodules per mm2, this nodule count has never been mentioned in the literature for castings of the same diameter, i.e., 40 mm. In addition, fully ferritic matrix was observed in all UST SG irons. Further austempering heat treatments were performed to produce different austempered ductile iron (ADI) grades with different ausferrite morphologies. The dilatometry studies for the developed ADI alloys showed that the time required for the completion of the ausferrite formation in UST alloys was four times shorter than that required for statically solidified SG irons. SEM micrographs for the ADI alloys showed an extremely fine and short ausferrite structure together with small austenite blocks in the matrix. A dual-phase intercritically austempered ductile iron (IADI) alloy was also produced by applying partial austenitization heat treatment in the intercritical temperature range, where austenite + ferrite + graphite phases coexist. In dual-phase IADI alloy, it was established that introducing free ferrite in the matrix would provide additional refinement for the ausferrite.

Machinability and related properties of austempered ductile iron: A review

When the ductile iron which is also known as Spheroidal Graphite (SG) iron, is subjected to austempering heat treatment, the material is known as austempered ductile iron (ADI). This material has good mechanical properties and has various applications in different fields. This revolutionary material with its excellent combination of strength, ductility, toughness and wear resistance has the potential to replace some of the commonly used conventional materials such as steel, aluminium and other light weight alloys as it offers production advantage as well. One of the problems encountered during manufacturing is machining of ADI parts owing to its high hardness and wear resistance. Many researchers over a period of time have reported the machinability aspects of the ADI. This paper presents a review on the developments made on the machinability aspects of ADI along with other mechanical properties.

Fatigue Analysis of Steering Knuckle using Finite Element Simulation: Technical Note

Steering knuckle is a prominent component of an automobile steering system. It is subjected cyclic loads from the suspension system during its service life. The Spheroid Graphite (SG) iron is the most commonly used material for manufacturing the steering knuckle. Fatigue behaviour is therefore a key consideration in its design and performance evaluation. Geometric modelling and stress analysis of such steering knuckle using finite element analysis software is carried out. Then the fatigue life of steering knuckle made from SG iron has been evaluated under the different load conditions and the results have been compared.