DUCTILE CAST IRON

GROUP MEMBERS
• SHREYANSH BT16MEC053
• NACHIKET BT16MEC052
• PRUDHVI BT16MEC051
 CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• MICROSTRUCTURE OF DUCTILE CAST IRON
• COMPOSITION
• PROPERTIES
• APPLICATIONS

2
CAST IRON

CAST IRON IS A GROUP OF IRON-CARBON ALLOYS WITH A

CARBON CONTENT GREATER THAN 2%.
THEY ARE HYPOEUTECTIC ALLOYS.

DUCTILE CAST IRON

Ductile cast iron also called as Nodular cast iron is a type
of graphite rich cast iron.While most varieties of cast iron
are weak in tension brittle, ductile iron has much more
impact and fatigue resistance, due to its nodular
graphite inclusions.
 MICROSTRUCTURE
• Ductile cast iron has a nodular microstructure
In ductile cast irons, graphite is in the form
of nodules rather than flakes as in grey iron.
Whereas sharp graphite flakes create stress
concentration points within the metal matrix,
rounded nodules inhibit the creation of cracks,
thus providing the enhanced ductility that gives
the alloy its name. Nodule formation is achieved
by adding nodulizing elements, most
commonly magnesium and CERIUM.
 DESULPHARISATION

To get the desired microstructure and effective nodular cast iron

it is important that the sulphur content of the car
alloy should be less than 0.015%.
If the alloy has more sulphur content than a
desulpharization process is carried out to
get the nodular structure.
Different Ductile cast iron based on matrix
1. Ferritic Ductile cast iron
2. Pearlitic Ductile cast iron
3. Martensitic Ductile cast iron
In the process of solidification when modifiers are
added such as magnesium and cerium we get the
uniform growth of graphite leading to the
formation of nodules.

Depending upon the applications we can get the

Desired matrix of either pearlite ,ferrite or even
Martensite by applying various heat treatment
Processes i.e. by different cooling rates.
 Properties
of
Ductile Cast
Iron
 Carbon Content
Nodular Cast Iron = Grey Cast Iron

3.2%-3.6%
Sulphur
<0.015%

“Desulphurized”
Magnesium
&
Cerium
 Nodular Cast Iron

Ferritic Austinitic

Pearlitic Martensitic
 Ferritic
10% Pearlite Ductility

Toughness

Machinability
 Pearlitic

Stronger
Air Cooling but
1600-1650 F Less ductile
Martensitic

1600-1700 F
 Corrosion resistance
Austinitic Creep properties

-75 F
Applications of Ductile Cast iron
1 - MUCH OF THE ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF DUCTILE IRON IS IN THE FORM OF DUCTILE
IRON PIPE, USED FOR WATER AND SEWER LINES BECAUSE OF ITS DUCTILITY, STRENGTH,
TOUGHNESS AND RELATIVE EASE OF HANDLING

2 - IT COMPETES WITH POLYMERIC MATERIALS SUCH

AS PVC, HDPE, LDPE AND POLYPROPYLENE, WHICH ARE ALL MUCH LIGHTER THAN STEEL
OR DUCTILE IRON; BEING SOFTER AND WEAKER, THESE REQUIRE PROTECTION FROM
PHYSICAL DAMAGE.
3 - The mechanical properties of ductile irons are more that of
basic cast steels so can often be used as a cheaper alternative

4 - Ductile iron is specifically useful in many automotive

components(suspension, brakes and steering), where strength needs
to surpass that of aluminium but do not necessarily require steel

5 - its major industrial applications include off-highway diesel

trucks, agricultural tractors, bulldozers, cranes , compressors
and oil well pumps

6 - In wind power industry ductile cast iron is used for hubs and
structural parts like machine frames.

7 - Ductile cast iron is used in many grand piano harps (the iron
plates to which high-tension piano strings are attached
8 - Due to its ability to produce complex shapes, it is also used for artistic
work such as sculptures. It is suitable for large and complex shapes and high
(fatigue) loads.

9 – It is also used in Valves, gears, crankshafts, rolls for rolling mills, tubes
and door hinges, military and railroad vehicles , automotive engines
crankshafts and heavy duty gears etc…
10 - Paper manufacturing industry is using the high strength and high elastic
modulus of ductile cast iron.
These properties can reduce the weight of the pressure drum and drying drum

11 - Ductile cast iron has made it to be widely used in all

kinds of hand tools such as wrenches, clamps and gauges
etc.

12 - Therefore, ductile iron castings have been widely used in many

industrial areas worldwide. With the continuous development of metal
founding, the application of ductile cast iron could be wider in future