Influencing factors on fatigue strength characteristic of flake graphite cast iron and its relation with casting process

Abstract

Flake graphite cast iron has been widely applied to structural members of automobiles because it is possible to produce members with complicated shape by low cost. It has been reported that the cooling rate varies in locally depending on the shape and thickness of the casting member, therefore result in that shape, size and distribution of graphite, moreover microstructure of the matrix changes and affects the mechanical properties. However, it has not been studied yet influence of each factor on fatigue strength characteristics. In this study, fatigue strength test was carried out in flake graphite cast irons produced with different cooling rate to investigate influence of cooling rate on fatigue strength characteristics. Fatigue strength tests were also conducted in flake graphite cast iron having the same size and distribution of graphite but having different matrix to study influence of the matrix on the fatigue strength characteristics.