Influence of alloying elements Cu, Ni and Mo on mechanical properties and austemperability of austempered ductile iron

Austempered ductile iron (ADI) is the most recent development in the nodular iron family. The austempering treatment produces a unique microstructure, ausferrite, which provides high mechanical strength combined with ductility, toughness, and good fatigue and wear resistance. The effect of alloying elements Cu, Ni and Mo on the mechanical properties and austemperability of ADI is reported. The mechanical strength and toughness decreased with the addition of Mo, but both wear resistance and austemperability increased with Mo content.