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Title: Mechanical Characterization of Nodular Ductile Iron

Abstract

The objective of this study is to characterize the strength and fracture response of nodular ductile iron (NDI) and its underlying ferritic matrix phase. Quasistatic and split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) compression tests were performed on NDI and a model material for the NDI matrix phase (Fe-Si alloy). Smooth and notch round bar (NRB) samples were loaded in tension until fracture to determine strain-at-failure with varying stress triaxiality. Multiple tests were performed on each small and large smooth bar samples to obtain fracture statistics with sample size. Fracture statistics are important for initializing simulations of fragmentation events. Johnson-Cook strength models were developed for the NDI and the Fe-Si alloy. NDI strength model parameters are: A = 525 MPa, B = 650 MPa, n = 0.6, and C = 0.0205. The average SHPB experimental strain-rate of 2312/s was used for the reference strain-rate in this model. Fe-Si alloy strength model parameters are: A=560 MPa, B = 625 MPa, n = 0.5, and C = 0.02. The average SHPB experimental strain-rate of 2850/s was used for the reference strain-rate in this model. A Johnson-Cook failure model was developed for NDI with model parameters: D{sub 1} = 0.029, D{sub 2} = 0.44, D{submore » 3} = -1.5, and D{sub 4} = D{sub 5} = 0. An exponential relationship was developed for the elongation-at-failure statistics as a function of length-scale with model parameters: S{sub f1} = 0.108, S{sub f2} = -0.00169, and L{sub m} = 32.4 {mu}m. NDI strength and failure models, including failure statistics, will be used in continuum-scale simulations of explosively-driven ring fragmentation. The Fe-Si alloy strength model will be used in mesoscale simulations of spall fracture in NDI, where the NDI matrix phase is captured explicitly.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1034483
Report Number(s):
LLNL-TR-522091
TRN: US201204%%30
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 42 ENGINEERING; ALLOYS; COMPRESSION; FRACTURES; FRAGMENTATION; IRON; STATISTICS; STRAIN RATE

Citation Formats

Springer, H K. Mechanical Characterization of Nodular Ductile Iron. United States: N. p., 2012. Web. doi:10.2172/1034483.
Springer, H K. Mechanical Characterization of Nodular Ductile Iron. United States. doi:10.2172/1034483.
Springer, H K. Tue . "Mechanical Characterization of Nodular Ductile Iron". United States. doi:10.2172/1034483. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1034483.
@article{osti_1034483,
title = {Mechanical Characterization of Nodular Ductile Iron},
author = {Springer, H K},
abstractNote = {The objective of this study is to characterize the strength and fracture response of nodular ductile iron (NDI) and its underlying ferritic matrix phase. Quasistatic and split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) compression tests were performed on NDI and a model material for the NDI matrix phase (Fe-Si alloy). Smooth and notch round bar (NRB) samples were loaded in tension until fracture to determine strain-at-failure with varying stress triaxiality. Multiple tests were performed on each small and large smooth bar samples to obtain fracture statistics with sample size. Fracture statistics are important for initializing simulations of fragmentation events. Johnson-Cook strength models were developed for the NDI and the Fe-Si alloy. NDI strength model parameters are: A = 525 MPa, B = 650 MPa, n = 0.6, and C = 0.0205. The average SHPB experimental strain-rate of 2312/s was used for the reference strain-rate in this model. Fe-Si alloy strength model parameters are: A=560 MPa, B = 625 MPa, n = 0.5, and C = 0.02. The average SHPB experimental strain-rate of 2850/s was used for the reference strain-rate in this model. A Johnson-Cook failure model was developed for NDI with model parameters: D{sub 1} = 0.029, D{sub 2} = 0.44, D{sub 3} = -1.5, and D{sub 4} = D{sub 5} = 0. An exponential relationship was developed for the elongation-at-failure statistics as a function of length-scale with model parameters: S{sub f1} = 0.108, S{sub f2} = -0.00169, and L{sub m} = 32.4 {mu}m. NDI strength and failure models, including failure statistics, will be used in continuum-scale simulations of explosively-driven ring fragmentation. The Fe-Si alloy strength model will be used in mesoscale simulations of spall fracture in NDI, where the NDI matrix phase is captured explicitly.},
doi = {10.2172/1034483},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 EST 2012},
month = {Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 EST 2012}
}

Technical Report:

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  • The objective of this study is to quantify the graphite particle phase in nodular ductile iron (NDI). This study provides the basis for initializing microstructure in direct numerical simulations, as part of developing microstructure-fracture response models. The work presented here is a subset of a PhD dissertation on spall fracture in NDI. NDI is an ideal material for studying the influence of microstructure on ductile fracture because it contains a readily identifiable second-phase particle population, embedded in a ductile metallic matrix, which serves as primary void nucleation sites. Nucleated voids grow and coalesce under continued tensile loading, as part ofmore » the micromechanisms of ductile fracture, and lead to macroscopic failure. For this study, we used 2D optical microscopy and quantitative metallography relationships to characterize the volume fraction, size distribution, nearest-neighbor distance, and other higher-order metrics of the graphite particle phase. We found that the volume fraction was {Phi} = 0.115, the average particle diameter was d{sub avg} = 25.9 {mu}m, the Weibull shape and scaling parameters were {beta} = 1.8 and {eta} = 29.1 {mu}m, respectively, the (first) nearest neighbor distance was L{sub nn} = 32.4 {mu}m, the exponential coefficients for volume fraction fluctuations was A{sub {Phi}} = 1.89 and B{sub {Phi}} = -0.59, respectively. Based on reaching a coefficient-of-variation (COV) of 0.01, the representative volume element (RVE) size was determined to be 8.9L{sub nn} (288 {mu}m).« less
  • Design criteria for preventing ductile and brittle failure are presented for spent-fuel shipping containers fabricated from ferritic nodular cast iron. A data base was assembled to determine the applicability of NRC Regulatory Guide 7.6 to ferritic nodular cast iron. In addition, fracture toughness acceptance criteria for this material were investigated using both fracture arrest and fracture initiation approaches. The study includes a review of the brittle fracture sensitivities of nodular cast iron to various processes involved in its fabrication. 19 figures, 7 tables.
  • The mechanical properties of a coring from the bottom of the MOSAIK KfK cask were determined as a function of through wall position for the 21 cm thick section. The elastic moduli were determined from ultrasonic velocity measurements. The standard tensile properties were determined as a function of strain rate at {minus}29{degree}C. The Charpy impact behavior was measured as a function of temperature from {minus}100 to {plus}100{degree}C. The fracture toughness was determined for both static and elevated loading rates (at {minus}29{degree}C). In addition to these mechanical properties, the variation in microstructure and composition with position in the coring is reported.more » The mechanical properties provide the essential information for the stress analysis modeling of the behavior of the cask during a drop test which will be conducted to simulate a very severe accident condition. The results from the elevated loading rate fracture toughness tests are used to suggest the severity of the flaws that should be introduced into the cask for the sequential series of drops which are scheduled to begin in March 1990. 24 refs., 16 figs., 6 tabs.« less
  • A statistical analysis of test results on 1000 transportation and storage casks revealed the main parameters that determine the properties of DI (ductile iron, a special form of cost iron). These data were used to established a test program in which the mechanical properties (particularly fracture toughness) of 24 DI alloys were determined as a function of their microstructure. Furthermore, the analysis emphasized the effect of test specimen size and different test data evaluation methods. Results of the test program show the prominent effect of pearlite content and graphite nodule structure in the mechanical and fracture toughness characteristics of DI.more » As the first-order parameter, the pearlite content is responsible for the transition from linear-elastic to elastic-plastic material behavior. The structure of the graphite nodules has a strong effect on the magnitude of the material property values. On the lower shelf, materials with small, homogeneously distributed graphite nodules show higher K[sub IC]-values (matrix-oriented fracture). On the upper shelf, materials with larger graphite nodules show higher fracture toughness (graphite-oriented fracture). With smaller specimens, conservative values were calculated on the upper shelf. This is important for transportation and storage containers of radioactive materials.« less
  • A statistical analysis of test results on 1000 transportation and storage casks revealed the main parameters that determine the properties of DI (ductile iron, a special form of cost iron). These data were used to established a test program in which the mechanical properties (particularly fracture toughness) of 24 DI alloys were determined as a function of their microstructure. Furthermore, the analysis emphasized the effect of test specimen size and different test data evaluation methods. Results of the test program show the prominent effect of pearlite content and graphite nodule structure in the mechanical and fracture toughness characteristics of DI.more » As the first-order parameter, the pearlite content is responsible for the transition from linear-elastic to elastic-plastic material behavior. The structure of the graphite nodules has a strong effect on the magnitude of the material property values. On the lower shelf, materials with small, homogeneously distributed graphite nodules show higher K{sub IC}-values (matrix-oriented fracture). On the upper shelf, materials with larger graphite nodules show higher fracture toughness (graphite-oriented fracture). With smaller specimens, conservative values were calculated on the upper shelf. This is important for transportation and storage containers of radioactive materials.« less