The Influence of Microstructure on the Tensile Damage of Lamellar Grey Cast Iron

ABSTRACTThe rupture behaviour of lamellar grey cast iron under tension depends on the overall damage suffered by the heterogeneous microstructure. In order to quantify the influence of microstructural components on the rupture behaviour of the material, it is therefore preferable to apply “Damage Mechanics” concepts rather than “Linear Fracture Mechanics”. In this preliminary study the damage process is assumed to be isotropic and two parameters are considered; firstly a damage limit σ0 and secondly, a damage rate B. Measurements made on a grey cast iron, cast in three different cross sections, show that these damage parameters may be used to separate the contributions of the graphite network and the matrix wich interact in the degradation process of the heterogeneous microstructure of lamellar grey cast iron.