82

MEETING LOW TEMPERATURE PROPERTY SPECIFICATIONS IN

DUCTILE IRON
by
Reginald D. Forrest, Sorelmetal Technical Services

Ductile Iron, as the name implies, possesses good In Ductile Irons the factors which influence the
ductility and toughness. The range of Ductile Irons transition temperature and impact properties include:
includes grades having combinations of moderate · Amount of pearlite in the matrix (impact strength
tensile strength and high elongation properties – for decreases with increasing pearlite).
2
example, 350 N/mm (50,760 psi approx.) with 22%
El. Also the specifications of these high elongation · Chemical composition of the matrix (impact
grades oftentimes include minimum impact strength strength decreases with increasing amounts of Si,
requirements (eg. ISO 1083-Grade 370/17, BS 2789- P, Mn, etc.).
Grades 350/22L40 and 400/18L20, German · Ferrite grain size.
Specification DIN 1693-Grades GGG-40.3 and GGG- · The number and roundness (nodularity) of the
35.3 and Japan standard JIS G 5502-FCD37) at both graphite nodules.
o o
ambient and sub-zero (down to -40 C (-40 F))
· The rate of stressing.
temperatures.
· The type of test – whether the sample is notched
Achieving the specified minimum combinations of and the form of the notch.
tensile and yield (proof) strengths, elongation and
impact properties can present the foundryman with
some problems. These problems arise because of the
ductile to brittle transition behavior exhibited by most
ferrous materials.
Ductile / Brittle Transition Behavior
All ferrous materials (except the austenitic grades)
exhibit a transition from ductile to brittle behavior when
tested above and below a certain temperature, called
the Transition Temperature.

Figure 2. Impact Transition (Schematic).

The problem for the Foundry Metallurgist is to achieve

the right balance of composition and structure in order
to meet all of the specified minimum tensile strength,
yield strength, elongation and impact properties
simultaneously and, ideally, in the “as-cast” condition.

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram Illustrating the Change from
Ductile to Brittle Failure as Temperature Decreases.
Ductile Failure - occurs from graphite nodule sites
along grain boundaries and is accompanied by
deformation (as measured by elongation).
Brittle Failure - involves no deformation and rapid
fracture by cleavage through grains occurs.
COMPOSITION
Silicon – increases the yield strength, promotes ferrite
and decreases the risk of carbides, but raises the
transition temperature – thereby producing an embrittling
effect. For this reason, limits are imposed on Si content
especially where the specified grade requires high
impact strength and freedom from carbides in thin
sections. Production of this type of material having a
ferritic matrix with a high yield strength and good elonga-
tion makes “as-cast” production sometimes difficult.
Phosphorus – severely embrittles Ductile Iron and
must be maintained below 0.03%. This low P
requirement imposes restrictions on possible charge
materials – even more pig irons contain excessive and
variable P levels and should not be used.
Manganese – is always maintained at low levels for
“as-cast” production, but can also give problems even
when annealing high Mn irons, to achieve ferritic
structures.
Nickel – can be used to offset some of the loss of
yield strength in ferritic Ductile Iron, when the level of
Si has been reduced. For example, alloying with
about 0.8% Ni can increase yield strength by about 40
2
N/mm (5,800 psi) without significantly affecting the
elongation or the transition temperature.
NODULE COUNT AND SHAPE
High nodule counts are generally favorable to ferrite
formation, reduce the risk of “as-cast” carbides and
lower the transition temperature – but unfortunately
high nodule counts reduce the maximum impact
strength (Upper Shelf Value). Good well-rounded
nodules are beneficial in all cases. Ideally then, low to
2
medium nodule counts (100 nodules/mm ) with good
nodule shape, should be the target for inoculation,
when producing these grades.
FERRITE GRAIN SIZE AND HEAT TREATMENT
Small ferrite grain size is beneficial in maximizing yield
and tensile strengths and reduces the transition
temperature. Where heat treatment is employed to
achieve the specified grade, the austenitizing
o - The above listed chemistries are typical of those required
temperature should be as low as possible (800-820 C
o
(1470-1510 F)), but the holding time must be for a
long enough time (> 10 hours) and then cooled to
below the critical temperature and held for several
hours to promote small ferrite grain size. Utilizing this
method requires freedom from carbides in the “as-
cast” condition (in order to avoid high temperature
carbide breakdown treatment) and therefore control
over charge materials and composition is necessary.
PRODUCTION
In order to meet the specified properties in the high
elongation/high impact grades of Ductile Iron, control
over charge materials, chemical composition, and
nodule count is essential. Among these controlled
components are the following items:
· High purity charge materials – low in Mn, P and trace
elements.
· Composition – low silicon; low concentration of pearlite
and/or carbide promoting elements; possible alloying with
Ni.
· Inoculation – effective to promote well formed, rounded
graphite nodules – but limited number (nodule count) to
about 100/mm2.
· Off Grade GGG 40.3 or equivalent:
It is possible to achieve these grades “as-cast” with controls
over charge materials and composition as discussed
previously.
Suggested composition targets are:
% Carbon : 3.6 – 3.8
% Silicon : 2.2 – 2.4
% Manganese : 0.1 – 0.15
% Phosphorus : 0.03 max.
Inoculation: controlled to achieve well – formed nodules at
about 100/mm2.
· Off Grade GGG 35.3 or equivalent:
Heat treatment is almost invariably involved to produce this
grade.
Suggested composition targets are:
% Carbon : 3.6 – 3.8
% Silicon : 1.8 – 1.9
% Nickel : 0.8 – 1.0
% Manganese : 0.1 – 0.15
% Phosphorus : 0.03 max.
Heat treatment – raise to 800-820oC (1470-1510oF), hold for
10 hours minimum, then cool to 680oC (1255oF) and hold for
> 2-3 hours minimum and finally cool to room temperature.
Inoculation: same as above.
NOTES
to produce castings meeting the above mentioned
specifications in sections of 0.5 to 1.5 inches (12 to 38
mm).
- Even though the Charpy test is the one designated in
many of these specifications, it is not a good test for
Ductile Iron. The Charpy test was designed to measure
the nil-ductility transition temperature in specialty steels
and not the actual upper shelf energy absorption.
Secondly these Charpy values cannot be used in design,
but only as some sort of reference information. The
amount of scatter of results makes even this reference
information doubtful to accurately characterize a material.
- See also Suggestion Sheets 64, 65 and 68.
REV – March 2006