9714168 Putatunda The focus of this SGER project is research on a new series of high carbon, austempered steels. The steel is synthesized using concepts from austempered ductile cast iron (ADI) technology. The steel composition is controlled to achieve a high carbon austenite and lower bainite structure after heat treatment. Silicon or aluminum additions act to suppress the formation of carbides, thereby increasing the toughness in these steels. The experimental plan includes melting and casting the steels, hot rolling, austenitizing, and austempering between 260 and 400 C. Microstructure in the steels is characterized by microscopy, and the carbon content and volume fractions of austenite and ferrite determined by x-ray diffraction. Mechanical properties are measured with emphasis on strength and toughness. The research should show the feasibility of processing these steels to the properties of interest. Ford Motor Company and Wagner Casting Company are contributing support to the effort. %%% The austempering process offers a low cost, high toughness steel with a good combination of strength and ductility applicable to the automotive and energy fields. ***
