Microstructural and mechanical properties of Cu-Ni-Mn-Mo austempered ductile iron obtained from two-step hot air austempering

In the present work, mechanical and microstructural properties of Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI) alloyed with Cu-Ni-Mn-Mo submitted to different hot air austempering cycles in a two-step mechanism were evaluated. In the first step, cooling and austempering were performed in an experimental hot air blower device. In the second step, the austempering was performed in a muffle furnace. Bars with Ø16.5 mm and 90 mm of length were austenitized in an electric resistive furnace for 90 min at 860°C. Austempering first step was performed for 10 min at 290°C, 320°C and 350°C corresponding to cycles I, II and III, respectively. Austempering second step was performed for 60 min at 380°C for all cycles. The measurements of Brinell hardness, elongation, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength for cycle I were 288 HB, 5.0%, 840 MPa, and 988 MPa. For cycle II, the measurements were: 264 HB, 5.9%, 717 MPa, and 876 MPa. And for cycle III: 257 HB, 6.6%, 711 MPa, and 888 MPa. Microstructural analysis indicated the presence of pearlite-free ausferrite.