Search Results for ferritic microstructure

Door-closer cylinder castings manufactured of class 30 gray iron were breaking during machining. The manufacturing source reported that a random sampling of castings from this lot had hardnesses from 180 to 210 HRB. Based on the color of the components, heat treatment of these castings was suspected. Metallurgical examination on two representative castings supported the conclusions that the cracks in these gray iron door closers that were present either before or during the heat treatment were attributed to a substandard microstructure of the wrong type of graphite combined with excessive ferrite. This anomalous structure is caused by shortcomings in the foundry practice of chemical composition, solidification, and inoculation control. Judging from the microstructure, the strength of the material was lower than desired for class 30 gray iron, and the suspected heat treatment further reduced the strength. Recommendations included that the chemistry and inoculation should be controlled to produce type A graphite structure. The chemistry control should aim for a carbon equivalent close to 4.3% to achieve adequate fluidity for thin sections and to alleviate gas defects.

Cast iron bearing caps in tractor engines fractured repeatedly after only short operating periods. The fracture originated in a cast-in groove and ran approximately radially to the shaft axis. The smallest cross section was at the point of fracture. The core structure of the caps consisted of graphite in pearlitic-ferritic matrix. Casting stresses did not play a decisive role because of the simple shape of the pieces that were without substantial cross sectional variations. Two factors exerted an unfavorable effect in addition to comparatively low strength. First, the operating stress was raised locally by the sharp-edged groove, and second, the fracture resistance of the cast iron was lowered at this critical point by the existence of a ferritic bright border. To avoid such damage in the future it was recommended to observe one or more of the following precautions: 1) Eliminate the grooves; 2) Remove the ferritic bright border; 3) Avoid undercooling in the mold and therefore the formation of granular graphite; 4) Inoculate with finely powdered ferrosilicon into the melt for the same purpose; and, 5) Anneal at lower temperature or eliminate subsequent treatment in consideration of the uncomplicated shape of the castings.

Failure of AISI 1015 steel brake discs used in power transmissions in emergency winches was investigated using various testing methods. The failed discs were stampings that had replaced cast discs. Residual stresses in the fillets of new cast and new stamped brake discs were measured by x-ray diffraction. The results indicated that the stamped brake discs had failed by fatigue caused by a tensile residual stress pattern in the fillet. The residual stress pattern was attributed to the change in manufacturing process from casting to stamping. Use of a manufacturing process that yields a compressive residual stress in the fillet, appropriate heat treatment of stamped discs, or redesign of the disc and/or transmission assembly was recommended.

Catastrophic pitting corrosion occurred in type 304L stainless steel pipe flange assemblies in an industrial food processor. During regular service the pumped medium was pureed vegetables. In situ maintenance procedures included cleaning of the assemblies with a sodium hypochlorite solution. It was determined that the assemblies failed due to an austenite-martensite galvanic couple activated by a chlorine bearing electrolyte. The martensitic areas resulted from a transformation during cold-forming operations. Solution annealing after forming, revision of the design of the pipe flange assemblies to eliminate the forming operation, and removal of the source of chlorine were recommended.

An experimental high-temperature rotary valve was found stuck due to growth and distortion after approximately 100 h. Gas temperatures were suspected to have been high due to overfueled conditions. Both the rotor and housing in which it was stuck were annealed ferritic ductile iron similar to ASTM A395. Visual examination of the rotor revealed unusually heavy oxidation and thermal fatigue cracking along the edge of the gas passage. Material properties, including microstructure, composition, and hardness, of both the rotor and housing were evaluated to determine the cause of failure. The microstructure of the rotor was examined in three regions. The shaft material, the heavy section next to the gas passage and the thin edge of the rotor adjacent to the gas passage. The excessive gas temperatures were responsible for the expansion and distortion that prevented rotation of the rotor. Actual operating temperatures exceeded those intended for this application. The presence of transformation products in the brake-rotor edge indicated that the lower critical temperature had been exceeded during operation.