Microstructure and mechanical properties of ADI depending on austenitization methods and parameters

Ductile iron was quenched using two-variant isothermal transformation. The first treatment variant consisted of one-phase austenitization at a temperature t = 830, 860 or 900 C, cooling down to an isothermal transformation temperature of 300 or 400 C and holding from 8 to 64 minutes. The second treatment variant consisted of two-phase austenitization. Cast iron was austenitizied at a temperature t = 950 C and cooled down to a supercritical temperature t = 900, 860 or 830 C. Isothermal transformation was conducted under the same conditions as those applied to the first variant. Ferrite cast iron was quenched isothermally. Basic strength (Rp0.2 Rm) and plastic (A5) properties as well as matrix microstructure and hardness were examined. As a result of heat treatment, the following ADI grades were obtained: EN-GJS-800-8, EN-GJS-1200-2 and EN-GJS-1400-1 in accordance with PN-EN 1564:2000 having plasticity of 1.5-4 times more than minimum requirements specified in the standard.