Development and properties of austempered low alloyed white cast iron

Abstract This study examined the response of low-alloy white cast iron to austempering heat treatment. In addition, it investigated the microstructure and mechanical properties of austempered low-alloy white cast iron. The low-alloy white cast iron specimens were austenitized at 900 °C, followed by quick quenching into a salt bath at 375 °C, and held there for 15 to 120 minutes for austempering heat treatment. Microstructural features were studied by optical, scanning electron microscopes, and XRD analysis. The mechanical properties were determined by hardness and unnotched Charpy impact toughness tests. As a function of those austempering times, a microstructural map was constructed to show how the transformation products develop, quantitatively. The experimental results showed that the austempering heat treatment produced a microstructure consisting of eutectic carbides + ausferritic structure in low-alloy white cast iron. It can be concluded that the low-alloy white cast iron can be austempered, similar to ductile cast irons. Improved hardness and impact toughness values have been obtained in austempered low-alloy white cast iron.