Thermomechanical fatigue behavior of CGI 450 and CGI 500 cast irons

The vermicular cast iron grade 450 is widely used in engineering applications, primarily by the automotive industry in the fabrication of internal combustion engines. However, in recent years, the vermicular cast iron grade 500 has been developed, and new studies searching for the replacement of the grade 450, with the aim of increasing the high-performance internal combustion engines life, as well as reducing their weight, are in development. Due to their operational characteristics, these engines are subjected simultaneously to thermal and mechanical cycles, which influence their useful life. Therefore, the characterization of the resistance to these types of loads for materials selection for these engines, is very important. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the thermomechanical fatigue life of two vermicular cast irons in conditions close to those to which internal combustion engines are subjected. The materials were characterized by chemical and metallographic analyses and tensile tests. The thermomechanical fatigue tests were carried out at temperatures ranging from 50 ºC to 420 ºC, and a dwell time of 180 seconds. The vermicular cast iron grade 500 exhibited higher tensile strength, with higher ductility when compared to the grade 450, as well as higher fatigue strength. These properties were related to the size and distribution of eutectic cells (graphite) in the matrix.