The influence of cobalt on the austempering reaction in ductile cast iron

Austempering kinetic measurements and mechanical property measurements are reported for two Mn ductile irons with and without Co and three austempering treatments. It is shown that Co accelerates the stage I reaction in each of the irons and for each of the austempering treatments but has little affect on the stage II reaction. Consequently, the processing window is widened and moves to earlier austempering times. This can be useful in the austempering of thicker section components to obtain the higher ductility grades of the ADI standard and to increase process productivity.