The influence of aluminium on the microstructure of austempered experimental ductile cast iron (ADI) have been studied. A number of irons of different composition have been made by green sand casting and gravity die casting of appropriate design to provide the experimental materials. Austenitising was carried out at different temperatures and holding times for a variety of experimental irons to achieve sufficient homogeneity for further isothermal heat treatment. The transformation to a bainitic microstructure during austempering under different conditions was then examined for the most successful of the experimental casts. Austenitising temperature of 920C, and austempering temperatures of 350 C for different holding times have been used. Microstructures have been examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microstructure of austempered ductile cast iron (ADI) consists of nodular graphite which is randomly dispersed in a bainitic matrix consisting of bainitic ferrite and carbon enriched retained austenite. It has been shown that the former austenite grain boundaries are the preferred sites for bainite nucleation.

The influence of aluminium on the microstructure of austempered experimental ductile cast iron (ADI) have been studied. A number of irons of different composition have been made by green sand casting and gravity die casting of appropriate design to provide the experimental materials. Austenitising was carried out at different temperatures and holding times for a variety of experimental irons to achieve sufficient homogeneity for further isothermal heat treatment. The transformation to a bainitic microstructure during austempering under different conditions was then examined for the most successful of the experimental casts. Austenitising temperature of 920C, and austempering temperatures of 350 C for different holding times have been used. Microstructures have been examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microstructure of austempered ductile cast iron (ADI) consists of nodular graphite which is randomly dispersed in a bainitic matrix consisting of bainitic ferrite and carbon enriched retained austenite. It has been shown that the former austenite grain boundaries are the preferred sites for bainite nucleation.

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