What is austempered ductile iron?
2024-12-26 14:41:41 hits:0
The properties of austempered ductile iron are also known as those of Isothermally Quenched Ductile Iron.Austempered ductile iron is a high-performance metallic material obtained through a special isothermal quenching process. This material, characterized by its unique hardness and wear resistance, has found widespread applications in various fields such as automobiles, machinery, and chemicals. This article delves into the performance characteristics, specific data, and application examples of austempered ductile cast iron. It also comprehensively analyzes the superiority and market prospects of this material, incorporating the actual supply situation from Tiegu, a casting factory.
I. Austempered Ductile Iron Properties
The microstructure of ADI consists of spherical graphite and a ferrite matrix, which grants it excellent mechanical properties and hardness characteristics. Compared to conventional cast iron, austempering ductile iron boasts higher hardness, superior wear resistance, and good toughness and impact resistance.
Hardness and Wear Resistance: The hardness of austempered ductile iron is significantly increased, with tensile strength improved by 220 MPa, hardness raised by 2 HRC, and wear resistance also notably enhanced.
Toughness and Impact Resistance: Even in low-temperature environments, adi austempered ductile iron maintains good toughness. For instance, at -40°C, its impact toughness retains about 70% of its room-temperature impact toughness.
Thermal Conductivity and Corrosion Resistance: Austempered Ductile Iron exhibits excellent thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, maintaining stable performance in high-temperature, high-pressure, or corrosive environments.
II. Application Examples of Austempered Ductile Iron Applications
Automotive Industry:
Engine and Transmission Components: Austempered Ductile Iron plays a crucial role in automotive manufacturing, particularly in the production of key components such as engines and transmissions. Its high hardness and wear resistance enable these components to withstand high loads and high-temperature environments, enhancing the reliability and durability of automobiles.
Case Study: Dongfeng Automobile Company successfully adopted ADI to replace carburized steel gears in the transmission gears of the B-series diesel engines imported from Cummins USA. The gear life was extended, and production costs were reduced.
Mechanical Engineering:
High-Performance Parts and Components: In mechanical engineering, isothermally quenched ductile iron is commonly used to manufacture high-performance parts and components such as bearings and gears. These components need to withstand high pressures and friction. Manufacturing them with austempered ductile iron enhances their service life and performance stability.
Case Study: FAW Wuxi Diesel Engine Company used ADI gears to replace 40Cr quenched and tempered steel gears. The test results showed that the ADI gears were lighter, had better shock absorption, lower noise, and acceptable wear resistance. They have passed the review and are officially in use.
Chemical Equipment:
Manufacturing of Key Components: In the chemical industry, austempered ductile cast iron is frequently used to manufacture key components of chemical equipment, such as pump bodies and valves, due to its corrosion and wear resistance.
Case Study: Lanzhou Yongxin Technology Co., Ltd. adopted austempered ductile iron to manufacture the IBP series of high-pressure, low-noise, variable radial piston pumps. This eliminated defects such as slag inclusion and floating that are prone to occur in sand casting, improving product performance.
III. Tiegu's Supply of Austempered Ductile Iron
Now that you know what austempered ductile iron is and machining austempered ductile iron, its advantages, and practical applications, if you have a demand for austempered ductile iron products, please reach out to us for negotiations. Tiegu, as a professional casting factory, supplies high-quality casting products, including austempered ductile iron castings, to global customers. Tiegu possesses advanced production equipment and processes, capable of customizing various specifications of austempered ductile iron castings according to customer needs.