study of the effect of homogenization treatment via partial melting on the microstructure and mechanical properties of austempered ductile iron

the chemical composition and uniform distribution of alloying elements in the matrix of austempered ductile irons (adis) have significant influences on their properties, e.g. segregation of the alloying elements have detrimental effects on the mechanical properties of these materials. unlike previous studies, the homogenization treatment via partial melting was used in this study in order to reduce the segregation of alloying elements within the matrix. the optical and electron microscopic studies showed the efficiency of homogenization treatment using partial melting in lowering the amount of segregation in the matrix of adi. the xrd phase analysis was used for estimating the fraction of phases. the results of charpy impact and tensile tests as well as the fractographic examinations of the fractured samples before and after being homogenized indicated that the homogenization process with partial melting is an efficient method for improving the mechanical properties of adis.