Aluminium casting is lighter than cast iron, but cast iron has much more benefit. Especially when thin wall casting technology and austempering process applied in cast iron. Based on this, the shifting from cast iron to aluminium need further consideration. Thin wall casting technology will help cast iron in weight problem, while austempering process will improve the properties. Austempering process was carried out on thin wall ductile iron (TWDI) connecting rod component. The aim of this work is to analyse the effect of austenitizing time to mechanical properties of thin wall austempered ductile iron connecting rod. The process was applied to all connecting rods resulting from the vertical casting which is made in foundry scale. The austenitizing temperature was 9600C with various holding time of 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes and the austempering temperature was 3500C with 35 minutes isothermal time. The process was held in fluidized bed furnace. Metallographic examination, tensile and compression stress-strain test were conducted directly to the connecting rod. The results showed that austenitizing time hold an important role in producing TWADI since austenitizing time responsible in producing the ausferrite.
Oleh :
Yoska Oktaviano
