Effect of the microstructure on the notched tensile strength of as-cast and austempered ductile cast irons

In this study, the effect of microstructure on the mechanical properties of four types of ductile cast irons with different morphologies was investigated using circumferentially notched cylindrical specimens with different notch root radii. These cast irons were also austempered using the same austempering heat treatment to make a comparison with the as-cast samples. Characterization of the specimens has been carried out by means of microstructure, hardness, tensile properties, notch tensile strength, notch sensitivity, fracture toughness, and fractography. A mixture of ferrite and pearlite in the microstructure of cast irons gives rise to a material of the highest tensile strength, notch tensile strength, and fracture toughness properties with the intermediate ductility and notch sensitivity. A higher pearlite in the matrix of cast irons gives very important mechanical properties such as hardness and strength, but brittleness of the matrix and notch sensitivity are greatly increased. Austempering significantly increased the mechanical properties and also reduced the difference between the mechanical properties of the cast irons. Austempered ferritic ductile irons exhibited the highest notch tensile strength and fracture toughness, and the high tensile strength and the intermediate ductility properties with the lowest notch sensitivity, whereas austempered pearlitic ductile irons had the lowest tensile strength, ductility, notch tensile strength, fracture toughness, and the intermediate notch sensitivity properties. The mechanical properties of the as-cast and austempered ductile irons have increased almost linearly with increase in the notch root radius.