Development and validation of predictive methods for multiscale crack propagation in ductile iron alloys

Purpose and goal:

The main objective of the proposed project is to provide improved prediction and characterization methods to estimate the performance of ductile iron under cyclic and static loads in terms of microstructural parameters. To this end, the project strives to accomplish an improved understanding of the large and microscopically small crack growth behavior, which is necessary to be able to relate the microstructure, as controlled by the casting process parameters, with the final performance of cast products.

Expected results and effects:

The main ourcome concern the design and implementation of cast parts for the automotive and mining industry. Foremost, supplying knowledge and computer-aided predictive methods, which relate the inner structure of metallic materials to their mechanical properties, evidently contribute to the feasibility to improve and optimize the design, as well as to reduce resource consumption and time-to-market, of new castings.

Thus, a firm foundation for less conservative dimensioning and systematic material selection is established, which will be of use in cast product development. Approach and implementation:

The project consists of three stages, each containing a number of work packages. The first stage includes a literature study, as well as to purchase and characterise selected test materials. In the second stage, new experimental and computer-aided assessment methods will be developed to evaluate the influence of casting defects on the mechanical properties.

The final stage includes fracture mechanical characterization and the implementation of multi-scale models in order to assess the crack propagation properties based on microstructural parameters.