As-cast carbidic ductile iron
An as-cast carbidic ductile iron is provided, having a pearlitic matrix with 5-50% by volume carbides and high wear resistance properties. The as-cast carbidic ductile iron is produced without an austempering heat treatment step. The as-cast carbidic ductile iron preferably includes a carbide stabilizing element and a spheroidizing agent.
1. An as-cast ductile iron composition comprising:
from 2.5 to 4% by weight of carbon;
from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of copper;
from 0.35 to 0.45% by weight of a carbide stabilizing agent;
less than 2% by weight of silicon;
from 0.02 to 0.06% by weight of magnesium; and
a matrix structure obtained without an austempering treatment, wherein the matrix structure comprises pearlite and carbides, wherein the carbide % is 5-50% by volume of carbides and the balance is iron, and wherein the as-cast ductile iron has a hardness range of 444-555 HBW.
2. The as-cast ductile iron composition of claim 1 , wherein the iron carbide stabilizing agent is selected from a set of iron carbide stabilizing agents, the set of iron carbide stabilizing agents comprising chromium, boron, molybdenum, vanadium, and manganese.
3. The as-cast ductile iron composition of claim 1 , wherein the matrix structure further comprises ferrite.
4. The as-cast ductile iron composition of claim 1 , further comprising a spheroidizing agent selected from a group consisting of cerium, and calcium.
5. The as-cast ductile iron composition of claim 1 , further comprising nickel.
6. An object comprising the as-cast ductile iron composition of claim 1 .
7. The object of claim 6 , wherein said object is a plow point.
8. The as-cast carbidic ductile iron of claim 1 , wherein the carbide stabilizing agent comprises 0.1-4% by weight manganese.
9. The as-cast carbidic ductile iron of claim 5 , further comprising 0.25-1% by weight nickel.
10. The as-cast carbidic ductile iron of claim 1 , wherein the as-cast ductile iron composition comprises 0.1-0.8% by weight copper.
11. The as-cast carbidic ductile iron of claim 1 , wherein the carbide stabilizing agent comprises 0.35-0.45% by weight chromium.
12. A method of making an as-cast carbidic ductile iron composition comprising:
producing the as-cast ductile iron composition without an austempering treatment, wherein the as-cast-ductile iron composition comprises from 2.5 to 4% by weight of carbon; from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of copper; from 0.02-0.06% by weight of magnesium; from 0.35 to 0.45% by weight of a carbide stabilizing agent; less than 2% by weight of silicon; and graphite nodules in a matrix structure obtained without an austempering treatment, wherein the matrix structure comprises pearlite and carbides, wherein the carbide % is 5-50% by volume of carbides and the balance is iron, and wherein the as-cast ductile iron has a hardness range of 444-555 HBW.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the carbide stabilizing agent is selected from a set of iron carbide stabilizing agents, the set of iron carbide stabilizing agents comprising chromium, boron, molybdenum, vanadium, and manganese.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the matrix structure further comprises ferrite.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising a spheroidizing agent selected from a group consisting of cerium, and calcium.
16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising nickel.
17. An as-cast carbidic ductile iron plow point comprising:
3.5-3.9% by weight carbon;
0-2% by weight silicon;
0.35-0.45% by weight chromium;
0.4-0.6% by weight nickel;
0.45-0.55% by weight copper;
0.035-0.05% by weight magnesium; and
graphite nodules in a matrix comprising pearlite and carbides, wherein the carbide % is 5% to 50% by volume, and wherein the as-cast ductile iron has a hardness range of 444-555 HBW.
18. The as-cast carbidic ductile iron plow point of claim 17 , wherein the matrix further comprises ferrite.
19. The as-cast carbidic ductile iron plow point of claim 17 , further comprising tungsten carbide attached to the as-cast carbidic ductile iron plow point.
20. The as-cast ductile iron composition of claim 1 wherein the carbide stabilizing agent is chromium.
21. The method of claim 12 wherein the carbide stabilizing agent is chromium.