Microstructural model for the time-dependent thermo-mechanical analysis of cast irons

In this paper, a multiscale modelling approach is followed for the modelling of time and temperature dependent behaviour of compacted graphite cast iron (CGI) material. Cast irons are often used in heavy duty machinery parts subjected to elevated temperatures for prolonged periods of time. This, in combination with its complex heterogeneous microstructure, plays the crucial role in determining the life time of the material. In this work a 2D microstructural model of CGI is developed. The geometry is based on the micrographs of the material. The pearlitic matrix is modelled with the temperature dependent elasto-visco-plastic model calibrated on the pearlitic steel experiments. The graphite particles are modelled as anisotropic elastic. The results of the simulations of tensile and stress relaxation tests at different temperatures between 20 °C and 500 °C show that the macroscopic mechanical behaviour of the ma-terial deteriorates rapidly above 350 °C. At the microstructural scale, the anisotropic graphite particles act as stress concentrators promoting the formation of strain percolation paths, that become more critical at higher temperatures. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)