Design, development and implementation of the new generation of ADI materials

The aim of this study is to develop a new generation of Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI) materials, as well as to determine the technology to produce them. The ADI is a real advanced material, which is produced by the process of austempering of ductile iron. By varying heat treatment parameters, a wide range of properties can be obtained. The ADI possesses a unique microstructure – ausferrite, which provides high strength, ductility, fracture toughness, wear and fatigue resistance and good machinability. A wide range of properties, lower weight (10% lower than steel) and lower production costs (up to 50%), provided various applications particularly in the automotive and agricultural machine industry. As components made from ADI are expected to operate in different environmental conditions, special attention is paid to low temperatures and corrosive conditions (water, oil, soil, etc.). Recent studies have shown that these factors have adverse effect on component performance (lesser strength and toughness). For that reason, there is a need for development of a new generation of ADIs, which, besides being compliant with international standards (EN, ISO, ASTM), will have improved properties both at low temperatures and in various environmental conditions. Furthermore, there is a necessity to enable Serbian foundries to become competitive on the growing ADI market, as latest predictions show an exponential increase in world ADI production/demand from 200000 to 500000 t until 2020.