Influence of heat treatment conditions on microstructure and mechanical properties of austempered ductile iron after dynamic deformation test

In this article, an attempt was made to determine the effect of dynamic load on the austempered ductile iron resistance obtained under different conditions of heat treatment. Tests were carried out on six types of cylindrical ductile iron samples austempered at 320, 370 and 400°C for 30 and 180 minutes. For each type of material, two samples were collected. As a next step in the investigations, the samples were subjected to a Taylor impact test. The samples after striking a non-deformable, rigid target were deformed on their front face. After Taylor test, a series of material tests was performed on these samples, noting a significant increase of hardness in the deformed part. This was particularly well visible in the ductile iron isothermally quenched at higher temperatures of 370 and 400°C. In the zone of sample deformation, an increase in the content of ferromagnetic phase was also reported, thus indicating the occurrence of martensitic transformation in the microstructure containing mechanically unstable austenite. A significant amount of deformed graphite was also observed, which was a symptom of the deformation process taking place in samples. The ductile iron was characterized by high toughness and high resistance to the effect of dynamic loads, especially as regards the grade treated at a temperature of 370°C.