In this study the effects of Sn content and isothermal transformation temperature on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation and hardness of austempered ductile cast iron (ADI) was investigated. To determine the possible effect of Sn on these properties the Sn content of standard GGG30, GGG40 and GGG50 materials were taken as reference, whose chemical compositions vary from 0,016 to 0,050% in terms of Sn. However the Sn content was increased to a maximum of 0,26% for investigating the effect of Sn on mechanical properties. The test specimens were obtained from standard 1-in Y-blocks and austenitized at 925oC for 1 hour and austempered at 350oC,375oC, 400oC and 420oC for 60 minutes in a salt bath. Microstructural examination of the specimens were also done. To determine the amount of retained austenite of the specimens X-Ray analyses were used. As a result of the study The UTS increases up to 0,1% Sn and then levels off. A similar behavior is observed in the variation of hardness. Percent elongation decreases and falls to a minimum around 0,1% Sn, from this point on, a slight increase is observed. Strength and hardness increase while percent elongation decreases with decreasing temperatures.

This work deals with problem of analyzing cooling curves of ductile iron and discovering possibility to predict shrinkage tendency of melt from thermal analysis results. This work was executed in foundry production conditions where obtained data from thermal analysis data linked to experimental castings where amount of shrinkage was estimated. Data were analyzed and looked for correlations between acquired thermal data and shrinkage defects.

Um novo ciclo de tratamento térmico denominado como têmpera e partição vem sendo desenvolvido em aços com elevados teores de silício, como rota para obtenção de estruturas com frações consideráveis de austenia retida. Essa rota de tratamento m térmico consiste em realizar uma têmpera temperaturas intermediárias entre Ms e Mf, seguido de um reaquecimento com manutenção em patamares isotérmicos por certos intervalos de tempo, objetivando estabilizar a austenita remanescente através da partição do carbono a partir da martensita supersaturada. No presente trabalho, duas ligas de ferros fundidos nodulares convencionais, com diferentes teores de silício e manganês, foram submetidas a ciclos de têmpera e partição. As amostras foram austenitizadas a 900°C por duas horas. Uma das ligas foi temperada em óleo a 160°C e a outra a 170°C por 2 minutos. Imediatamente após a têmpera as amostras foram reaquecidas em temperaturas entre 300 e 450°C por intervalos de tempo que variaram entre 2 e 180 minutos. A caracterização microestrutural foi realizada através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e difração de raios x. A caracterização mecânica foi feita através de ensaios de energia absorvida ao impacto, dureza HRC e ensaios de tração. A caracterização microestrutural evidenciou que os ciclos de têmpera e partição são viáveis na obtenção de frações consideráveis de austenita retida nos ferros fundidos nodulares. A caracterização mecânica evidenciou que foi possível obter boas combinações de energia absorvida ao impacto, resistência à tração e alongamento. Em todas as condições testadas é possível perceber uma janela de processo bem definida caracterizada por valores crescentes das propriedades mecânicas nos primeiros minutos do ciclo de partição e que decrescem após certo intervalo de tempo. O conjunto de propriedades mecânicas obtidas através dessa rota de tratamentos térmicos indica que os ferros fundidos nodulares submetidos ao ciclo de têmpera e partição podem se constituir como alternativa tecnológica para aplicações comerciais nas quais os ferros fundidos nodulares austemperados já são materiais consolidados. / A new heat treatment cycle known as quenching and partitioning has been developed in commercial steel alloys containing silicon as a way to obtain structures with controlled fractions of retained austenite. This heat treatment cycle consists in performing a quenching in temperatures between Ms and Mf, followed by a reheating with isothermal holding by different time intervals. The aim of this cycle is to achieve the austenite stabilization by diffusion of carbon from the supersaturated plates of martensite. In this work, two conventional ductile cast iron alloys, with two different contents of silicon and manganese were heat-treated in quenching and partitioning cycle. The samples were austenitized at 900°C for two hours, followed by quenching in oil at 160° C and 170° C for two minutes. Immediately after quenching, the samples were reheated at temperatures between 300 and 450°C for time intervals between 2 and 180 minutes. The microstructural characterization was performed using electronic microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction. The mechanical characterization was performed using impact tests, hardness and tensile strength tests. The microstructural characterization showed that the cycles of quenching and partitioning are viable to obtain considerable fractions of retained austenite in nodular cast by this heat treatment route. The mechanical characterization showed that it was possible to obtain good combinations of energy absorbed in the impact, tensile strength and elongation. In all tested conditions was possible to perceive a well-defined process window characterized by increasing values of mechanical properties in the first minutes of the partitioning step, and decrease after certain time intervals. The set of mechanical properties obtained by this route of heat treatments indicates that nodular cast iron subjected to tempering and partitioning cycle can be constituted as an alternative technology for commercial applications in which austempered ductile irons are already consolidated materials.

Um novo ciclo de tratamento térmico denominado como têmpera e partição vem sendo desenvolvido em aços com elevados teores de silício, como rota para obtenção de estruturas com frações consideráveis de austenia retida. Essa rota de tratamento m térmico consiste em realizar uma têmpera temperaturas intermediárias entre Ms e Mf, seguido de um reaquecimento com manutenção em patamares isotérmicos por certos intervalos de tempo, objetivando estabilizar a austenita remanescente através da partição do carbono a partir da martensita supersaturada. No presente trabalho, duas ligas de ferros fundidos nodulares convencionais, com diferentes teores de silício e manganês, foram submetidas a ciclos de têmpera e partição. As amostras foram austenitizadas a 900°C por duas horas. Uma das ligas foi temperada em óleo a 160°C e a outra a 170°C por 2 minutos. Imediatamente após a têmpera as amostras foram reaquecidas em temperaturas entre 300 e 450°C por intervalos de tempo que variaram entre 2 e 180 minutos. A caracterização microestrutural foi realizada através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e difração de raios x. A caracterização mecânica foi feita através de ensaios de energia absorvida ao impacto, dureza HRC e ensaios de tração. A caracterização microestrutural evidenciou que os ciclos de têmpera e partição são viáveis na obtenção de frações consideráveis de austenita retida nos ferros fundidos nodulares. A caracterização mecânica evidenciou que foi possível obter boas combinações de energia absorvida ao impacto, resistência à tração e alongamento. Em todas as condições testadas é possível perceber uma janela de processo bem definida caracterizada por valores crescentes das propriedades mecânicas nos primeiros minutos do ciclo de partição e que decrescem após certo intervalo de tempo. O conjunto de propriedades mecânicas obtidas através dessa rota de tratamentos térmicos indica que os ferros fundidos nodulares submetidos ao ciclo de têmpera e partição podem se constituir como alternativa tecnológica para aplicações comerciais nas quais os ferros fundidos nodulares austemperados já são materiais consolidados. / A new heat treatment cycle known as quenching and partitioning has been developed in commercial steel alloys containing silicon as a way to obtain structures with controlled fractions of retained austenite. This heat treatment cycle consists in performing a quenching in temperatures between Ms and Mf, followed by a reheating with isothermal holding by different time intervals. The aim of this cycle is to achieve the austenite stabilization by diffusion of carbon from the supersaturated plates of martensite. In this work, two conventional ductile cast iron alloys, with two different contents of silicon and manganese were heat-treated in quenching and partitioning cycle. The samples were austenitized at 900°C for two hours, followed by quenching in oil at 160° C and 170° C for two minutes. Immediately after quenching, the samples were reheated at temperatures between 300 and 450°C for time intervals between 2 and 180 minutes. The microstructural characterization was performed using electronic microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction. The mechanical characterization was performed using impact tests, hardness and tensile strength tests. The microstructural characterization showed that the cycles of quenching and partitioning are viable to obtain considerable fractions of retained austenite in nodular cast by this heat treatment route. The mechanical characterization showed that it was possible to obtain good combinations of energy absorbed in the impact, tensile strength and elongation. In all tested conditions was possible to perceive a well-defined process window characterized by increasing values of mechanical properties in the first minutes of the partitioning step, and decrease after certain time intervals. The set of mechanical properties obtained by this route of heat treatments indicates that nodular cast iron subjected to tempering and partitioning cycle can be constituted as an alternative technology for commercial applications in which austempered ductile irons are already consolidated materials.

O objetivo do presente trabalho, consistiu na obtenção de ferro fundidos nodulares, a serem utilizados na fabricação de eixos, com as seguintes características mecânicas após os tratamentos térmicos adequados: limites de resistência à tração e escoamento mínimos de 700 N/mm2 e 450 N/mm2 respectivamente, alongamento mínimo de 5% e dureza entre 235 à 285 HB. A microestrutura mais adequada à obtenção das características mecânicas desejadas deveria consistir de cementita esferoidizada numa matriz ferrítica, a ser obtida com o tratamento de recozimento ou revenimento de microestruturas previamente perlíticas ou martensíticas, respectivamente. No caso do tratamento de recozimento, as estruturas iniciais consistiram de perlita grossa mais ferrita, presentes no material no estado bruto de fusão, ou, de perlita fina mais ferrita, do material normalizado. Todos os tratamentos térmicos utilizados, dependendo do tempo de tratamento, permitiram a obtenção de cementita esferoidizada. O material normalizado e recozido durante 2 horas a 700ºC, possibilitou a obtenção das propriedades mecânicas desejadas: limites de resistência à tração e de escoamento de 827 N/mm2 e 547 N/mm2 respectivamente, alongamento de 7% e dureza de 277 HB, valores estes, dentro dos limites desejados no presente trabalho. No caso do material temperado e revenido a 700ºC durante 0,5 hora, obteve-se limites de escoamento de 542 N/mm2, alongamento de 6% e dureza de 246 HB. O tratamento de recozimento realizado durante 48 horas, produziu microestrutura quase totalmente ferrítica, com pequenas áreas de agregados de carbonetos. O restante do carbono migrou para os nódulos de grafita secundária ao redor dos mesmos. / The purpose of the present work, consisted in obtaining ductile casting iron, that will be used in the shaft production, with de following mechanical properties after the appropriated heat treatments: ultimate tensile strength and yield strength values of 700 N/mm2 and 450 N/mm2 minimum respectively, elongation of 5% minimum and hardness value from 235 to 285 HB. The microstructure more adequated to obtaining the desired mechanical characteristics should consist of spheroidized cementite in a ferritic matrix, to be obtained with the annealing or tempering treatments of microstructures previously pearlitic or martensitic respectively. In the case of the annealing treatment, the initial structures consisted of thick pearlite plus ferrite, wich were in the material in the ascast state, or fine pearlite plus ferrite, of the normalized material. All the used heat treatment, depending on the time of treatment, allowed the obtainment of spheroidized cementite. The material normalized and annealed for 2 hours at 700°C made possible the obtaining of the desired mechanical properties: ultimate tensile strength and yield strength value of 827 N/mm2 and 547 N/mm2 respectively, elongation of 7% and hardness values of 277 HB, values these, in acordance with the aims initially proposed in the present work. In the case of the material quenched and tempered at 700°C for 0,5 hour, it was obtained yield strength values of 542 N/mm2, elongation of 6% and hardness value of 246 HB. The annealing treatment made during 48 hours, produced a microstructure almost totally ferritic, with small areas of aggregated carbides. The remaining of the carbon migrated to the graphite nodules producing secondary graphite around them.

Controlled Low Strength Materials (CLSM) are cementitious self-compacting materials, comprised of low cement content, supplementary cementing materials, fine aggregates, and water. CLSM is typically used as an alternative to conventional compacted granular backfill in applications, such as pavement bases, erosion control, bridge abutments, retaining walls, bedding and backfilling of pipelines. This dissertation presents the findings of an extensive study carried out to determine the corrosivity of CLSM on ductile iron and galvanized steel pipelines. The study was performed in two phases and evaluated more than 40 different CLSM mixture proportions for their corrosivity. An extensive literature survey was performed on corrosion of metals in soils and corrosion of reinforcement in concrete environments to determine possible influential factors. These factors were used as explanatory variables with multiple levels to identify the statistically significant factors. Empirical models were developed for percent mass loss of metals embedded in CLSM and exposed to different environments. The first and only service life models for ductile iron and galvanized steel pipes embedded in CLSM mixtures were developed. Models indicated that properly designed CLSM mixtures can provide an equal or longer service life for completely embedded ductile iron pipes. However, the service life of galvanized pipes embedded in CLSM should not be expected to be more than the service life provided by corrosive soils.

The impact on human health caused by lead release has resulted in stringent lead regulations, which limit the drinking water concentration of lead to 10µg/L. In order to meet regulation guidelines, sources of lead are being removed from the distribution system and premise plumbing. Lead service lines (LSLs) are replaced to minimize the effect of lead release, with LSL contributing as much as 50-75% of total lead at the tap. Adsorption of lead on galvanized iron corrosion scales have been shown to increase lead release in LSL replacements, which is very concerning for utilities considering replacing the LSLs. Adsorption of lead on to iron minerals has been hypothesized as a mechanism for lead exposure. With the significant presence of unlined cast iron pipes in Halifax, the objective of this thesis was to determine the relationship between the iron particles found in cast iron pipes and lead release at the tap.

O objetivo do presente trabalho, consistiu na obtenção de ferro fundidos nodulares, a serem utilizados na fabricação de eixos, com as seguintes características mecânicas após os tratamentos térmicos adequados: limites de resistência à tração e escoamento mínimos de 700 N/mm2 e 450 N/mm2 respectivamente, alongamento mínimo de 5% e dureza entre 235 à 285 HB. A microestrutura mais adequada à obtenção das características mecânicas desejadas deveria consistir de cementita esferoidizada numa matriz ferrítica, a ser obtida com o tratamento de recozimento ou revenimento de microestruturas previamente perlíticas ou martensíticas, respectivamente. No caso do tratamento de recozimento, as estruturas iniciais consistiram de perlita grossa mais ferrita, presentes no material no estado bruto de fusão, ou, de perlita fina mais ferrita, do material normalizado. Todos os tratamentos térmicos utilizados, dependendo do tempo de tratamento, permitiram a obtenção de cementita esferoidizada. O material normalizado e recozido durante 2 horas a 700ºC, possibilitou a obtenção das propriedades mecânicas desejadas: limites de resistência à tração e de escoamento de 827 N/mm2 e 547 N/mm2 respectivamente, alongamento de 7% e dureza de 277 HB, valores estes, dentro dos limites desejados no presente trabalho. No caso do material temperado e revenido a 700ºC durante 0,5 hora, obteve-se limites de escoamento de 542 N/mm2, alongamento de 6% e dureza de 246 HB. O tratamento de recozimento realizado durante 48 horas, produziu microestrutura quase totalmente ferrítica, com pequenas áreas de agregados de carbonetos. O restante do carbono migrou para os nódulos de grafita secundária ao redor dos mesmos. / The purpose of the present work, consisted in obtaining ductile casting iron, that will be used in the shaft production, with de following mechanical properties after the appropriated heat treatments: ultimate tensile strength and yield strength values of 700 N/mm2 and 450 N/mm2 minimum respectively, elongation of 5% minimum and hardness value from 235 to 285 HB. The microstructure more adequated to obtaining the desired mechanical characteristics should consist of spheroidized cementite in a ferritic matrix, to be obtained with the annealing or tempering treatments of microstructures previously pearlitic or martensitic respectively. In the case of the annealing treatment, the initial structures consisted of thick pearlite plus ferrite, wich were in the material in the ascast state, or fine pearlite plus ferrite, of the normalized material. All the used heat treatment, depending on the time of treatment, allowed the obtainment of spheroidized cementite. The material normalized and annealed for 2 hours at 700°C made possible the obtaining of the desired mechanical properties: ultimate tensile strength and yield strength value of 827 N/mm2 and 547 N/mm2 respectively, elongation of 7% and hardness values of 277 HB, values these, in acordance with the aims initially proposed in the present work. In the case of the material quenched and tempered at 700°C for 0,5 hour, it was obtained yield strength values of 542 N/mm2, elongation of 6% and hardness value of 246 HB. The annealing treatment made during 48 hours, produced a microstructure almost totally ferritic, with small areas of aggregated carbides. The remaining of the carbon migrated to the graphite nodules producing secondary graphite around them.

The aim of this thesis was to analyze the formation of defects in a given casting of ductile cast iron EN - GJS - 600-3 cast in sand molds bentonite, which is formed jolting with coining and then find a solution to remedy these defects. To resolve this issue, the influence of the composition of the sand mixture, the effect of metal flow in a cavity forms and the influence of deoxidation of metal in the presence of defects. Obtained results showed the importance of the influence Reoxidation metal cavity mold. Specifically, in this case succeeded in reducing the incidence of PINHOLES. Removal of PINHOLES to achieve deoxidation aluminum melt. This has reduced the production of nonconforming castings under 3% from the original 6.5%.

Intercritically austempered ductile iron (IADI) with a matrix microstructure of ferrite plus metastable austenite has an excellent combination of strength and toughness. The high strength and good ductility of this material is due to the transformation of metastable austenite to martensite during deformation. In the present study, the transformation of austenite to martensite for intercritically austempered ductile irons of varying alloy chemistry (varying amounts of nickel and/or manganese) were examined using in-situ neutron diffraction under strain-controlled loading at VULCAN at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Both diffraction and tensile data were collected and synced using the VDRIVE software (a proprietary ORNL software package). The single peak fit method was employed in the analysis of the diffraction data. In this thesis, the stress and strain for the start of the transformation of metastable austenite to martensite were determined. The development of residual stresses during deformation and the elastic diffraction constants for both the ferrite and austenite phases were also determined. The material was characterized using optical microscopy, backscattered imaging in the scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. / Master of Science