Mechanical Properties of Ductile Iron

D
uctile iron is characcause of this, it is called terized by the fact bulls-eye ferrite. The highthat all of its graphite ocstrength grades are usually curs in microscopic sphegiven a normalizing heat roids. Although this treatment to make the magraphite constitutes about trix all pearlite, or they are 10% by volume of ductile quenched and tempered to iron, its compact spherical form a matrix of tempered shape minimizes the effect martensite. However, ducon mechanical properties. tile iron can be moderately The graphite in commeralloyed to have an entirely cially produced ductile pearlitic matrix as-cast. iron is not always perfectly Composition spheroidal. It can occur in The chemical composia somewhat irregular tion of ductile iron and the form, but if it is still cooling rate of the casting chunky as Type II in directly affect its tensile ASTM Standard A247, the properties of the iron will Because the graphite in ductile iron precipitates as spheroids rather than properties by influencing be similar to cast iron with flakes (as in gray iron), the spheroids act as crack arresters that allow the type of matrix structure spheroidal graphite. Of the metal to bend without breaking, as shown in the ductile iron bar (inset) that is formed. All of the that has been twisted. regular grades of ductile course, further degradairon can be made from the tion can influence meficiently uniform sections, it can be shaken same iron provided that the chemical comchanical properties. The shape of the out of the mold while still at a temperaposition is appropriate so that the desired graphite is established when the metal ture above the critical and normalized. matrix microstructure can be obtained by solidifies, and it cannot be changed in any The matrix structure and hardness also controlling the cooling rate of the casting way except by remelting the metal. can be changed by heat treatment. The high after it is poured or by subsequent heat treatThe difference between the various ductility grades are usually annealed so that ment. For most casting requirements, the grades of ductile iron is in the microstructhe matrix structures ferrite is entirely free chemical composition of the iron is primature of the metal around the graphite, of carbon (C). The intermediate grades are rily a matter of facilitating production. which is called the matrix. This microoften used in the as-cast condition without structure varies with composition and the Grades of Ductile Iron heat treatment and have a matrix structure cooling rate of the casting. It can be slowly The common grades of ductile iron of ferrite and pearlite. The ferrite occurs as cooled in the sand mold for a minimum differ primarily in the matrix structure rings around the graphite spheroids. Behardness as-cast or, if the casting has sufTable 1. Short Summary of Ductile Iron Specifications (ASTM)

Spec. No. A536-80

Matrix Ferrite

Class or Min. Min. % Heat Grade Tensile psi Yield psi Elongation Treatment 60-40-18 60,000 40,000 18 May be Annealed

Bhn 149-187

A536-80

Ferrite & 65-45-12 Pearlite

65,000

45,000

12

170-207

A536-80

Pearlite & 80-50-06 Ferrite Pearlite 100-70-03

80,000

55,000

187-248

A536-80

100,000

70,000

Usually Normalized

217-269

A536-80

Tempered 120-90-02 Martensite

120,000

90,000

Quenched and Tempered

240-300

Pressurecontaining castings such as valve & pump bodies. Machinery castings subject to shock and fatigue loading. Suitable for flame Crankshafts, and induction gears and hardening. rollers. Best combination High strength of strength, wear gears, resistance and automotive response to surface and machine hardening. components. Maximum strength Pinions, gears, and wear rollers and resistance. slides.

Uses Applications For maximum shock resistant parts to be used at sub-zero temperatures. Most widely used grade for normal service.

Typical

In all grades in this specification, chemical composition is subordinate to mechanical properties. However, the content of any element may be specified by mutual agreement.

217

1200 Tensile strength 1000 Yield strength

100-70-03, air quenched Grace 120-90-02, oil quenched

30
160

Grade 60-40-18, annealed 65-45-12, annealed

Elongation, %

20
80-55-06, as-cast 100-70-03, air quenched

Strength, MPa

800
80-55-06, as-cast 65-45-12, annealed

120

10

120-90-02, oil quenched

600 80 400 40

0 160

180

200

220 240 260 Hardness, HB

280

300

200

60-40-18, annealed

This graph shows the tensile and hardness properties of ductile iron conforming to different grades of ASTM Specification A536.

The commonly established tensile properties are tensile strength, yield strength and percent elongation. The minimums for these properties are typically established by the specification or implied by specifying the hardness of the casting. Because of the nominal and consistent influence of spheroidal graphite, the tensile properties and the Brinell hardness of ductile iron are well correlated. The relation between tensile properties and hardness depends on microstructure. Ferritic matrix irons, often annealed, have a low combined C content. Hardness and strength are dependent upon Hardness hardening of the ferrite by the elements Because of the minimum influence of dissolved in it, silicon being the most the spheroidal graphite on mechanical important. Manganese and nickel are properties, the hardness is a useful test for First produced in volume quantities just 40 years ago, also common ferrite hardeners. ductile iron is experiencing the largest annual growth ductile iron and, with some reservations, rate of all the ferrous metals. It combines the processPearlitic matrix irons have lamellar can be directly related to other proper- ing advantages of gray iron (low melting point, good carbide as the principal hardening and castability and ready machinability) with ties. The relation between tensile proper- fluidity agent. Pearlitic irons containing freemany of the engineering advantages of steel (high ties and hardness is dependable when the strength, ductility and wear resistance). ferrite are in this group. microstructure and chemical A uniform matrix of tempered analysis is typical. martensite produced by heat treatTensile strength, MPa This relation is not dependment has a somewhat higher 300 500 700 900 1100 1300 able if, for example, the graphite strength-to-hardness relation. is irregular or if the matrix conThe acicular or bainitic ma0.5 tains primary carbides. The prestrix irons have a similar relation, Pearlitic Ferritic ence of unusual constituents in but generally have a lower ducthe microstructure such as pritility at a given strength. mary carbides or the occurrence The properties of ductile iron 0.4 of other forms of graphite can also are affected to some extent by Tempered Martensite affect some properties quite difprocessing considerations including inoculation, post-inoculation ferently than others. and shakeout temperatures. ReThe hardness of all graphitic 0.3 duced cooling times in the mold irons is essentially the hardness of and a hot shakeout temperature the matrix metal reduced to a 60 100 140 160 increases strength because the somewhat lower value by the presTensile strength, 1000 psi castings are effectively normalized ence of the graphite. Graphite in a spheroidal shape influences the This graph shows the relationships between endurance ratio, ten- by this treatment. strength and matrix microstructure for ductile iron. The fatigue hardness values obtained with sile strength of a material is related to its tensile strength by an endur- For more information, see Resources for Casting Designers & Buyers, p. 67. conventional testers, but not as ance ratio, or the ratio of a fatigue limit to tensile strength.
Endurance ratio

that contains the spherical graphite. These differences are the result of differences in composition, in the cooling rate of the casting or as the result of heat treatment. Minor differences in composition or the addition of alloys may be used to enhance the desired microstructure. Five grades of ductile are classified by their tensile properties in ASTM Specification A-536-80, as shown in Table 1. The common grades of ductile iron also can be specified by only Brinell hardness, although the appropriate microstructure for the indicated hardness also is a requirement (this method is used in SAE specification J434c for automotive castings and similar applications). Other specifications for special applications not only specify tensile properties but also have limitations in composition.

much as graphite in flake form. A martensitic ductile iron with an actual matrix hardness of Rockwell C 6365 will indicate a hardness of 5558. This effect presents no problem if it is recognized. The Brinell test is

preferred for determining the hardness of ductile iron castings and typical values for different matrix structures also are listed in Table 1.

Tensile Properties

218