Back to Gray Cast iron
ML00141 - Jul.2018

Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron

Fractured position of the casting cylinder of 10.5 mm thickness (minimum measured thickness) showing a brittle behavior (lack of plastic deformation), typical of overloading a material with 1% ductility (measured in the tensile test). This is the view of the internal surface of the cylinder, presenting regions of localized thinning in this surface that was in contact with (treated) cooling water. The external side of the cylinder was painted.

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Fractured position of the cylinder of 10.5 mm thickness (minimum measured thickness) showing a (lack of ), typical of a material with 1% ductility (measured in the ). This is the view of the of the cylinder, presenting regions of localized in this surface that was in contact with (treated) cooling water. The external side of the cylinder was painted.
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Material

Gray Cast iron
  • ASTM A 126 class A
Ds

Description

The chamber of an cooling water system, manufactured in , broke in a brittle way after more than 10 years in service. The metallurgical failure investigation showed a by graphite decohesion and cleavage micromechanims, starting from the internal cylinder surface, where the material was corroded at the matrix interface with the , forming a deep notch morphology due to the large size of the graphite flakes and its interconnections.

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Chemistry (% in weight)

3.98C; 1.55Si; 0.62Mn; 0.065P; 0.015S; 0.02Cr; 0.02Ni; 0.02Cu.

Associated Images
Fractured position of the casting cylinder of 10.5 mm thickness (minimum measured thickness) showing a brittle behavior (lack of plastic deformation), typical of overloading a material with 1% ductility (measured in the tensile test). This is the view of the internal surface of the cylinder, presenting regions of localized thinning in this surface that was in contact with (treated) cooling water. The external side of the cylinder was painted.
918
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Fracture Surface AspectDf - General View
Fracture aspect of the casting cylinder at the 10.5 mm thickness, showing a brittle behavior (lack of plastic deformation). The internal side of the cylinder is to the top of the figure, and the painted surface is to the bottom of the figure.
129
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Fracture Surface AspectDf - Brittle Fracture
Detailed aspect of the cylinder fracture, the internal surface to the top of the figure and the painted external surface to the bottom of the figure.
103
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Fracture Surface AspectDf - Brittle Fracture
Macrographic aspect of a section of the cast cylinder, transverse to the fracture (top). The internal diameter of the cylinder (exposed to treated water) is to the left side and the external diameter of the cylinder (painted) is to the right side.
96
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - NItal Etched MacroDf - Brittle Fracture
Micrographic aspect, as polished, of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), close to the internal surface (left side). It is possible to see large graphite flakes.
98
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - As polished micrographyDf - Close to the Internal Surface
Micrographic aspect, as polished, of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), in the center of the thickness. It is possible to see a mixture of large graphite flakes and rosette grouping flakes.
80
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - As polished micrographyDf - In the Center of the Thickness
Micrographic aspect, as polished, of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), close to the external surface (left side). It is possible to see smaller graphite flakes, interdendritic .
79
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - As polished micrographyDf - Close to the External Surface
The fracture surface of the casting cylinder presented, at the internal surface, interconnected graphite flakes and a corroded matrix.
73
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Fractography by SEMDf - Close to the Internal Surface
The fracture surface of the casting cylinder presented, in the center of the thickness, cleavage facets and graphite decohesion that corresponds to a brittle fracture of the material.
61
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Fractography by SEMDf - In the Center of the Thickness
The fracture surface of the casting cylinder presented, close to the external surface, a more ductile aspect of the fracture.
58
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Fractography by SEMDf - Close to the External Surface
Fractographic detail of the interconnected graphite flakes and corroded matrix.
50
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Fractography by SEMDf - Corrosion
Fractographic detail of the graphite decohesion and cleavage facets in the center of the cast cylinder thickness.
47
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Fractography by SEMDf - Brittle Fracture
Micrography of the longitudinal section of the cylinder, at the internal diameter (left side of the figure), in contact with the treated cooling water, presenting large graphite flakes in a predominatly perlitic matrix.
50
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Close to the Internal Surface
Micrography of the longitudinal section of the cylinder, at the internal diameter, in contact with the treated cooling water, presenting large graphite flakes in a predominatly perlitic matrix. It is important to mention that the flakes are almost interconnecting themelves.
47
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Graphite in Flakes
Micrography of the longitudinal section of the cylinder, at the internal diameter, in contact with the treated cooling water, presenting large graphite flakes in a predominatly perlitic matrix. It is important to mention that the flakes are almost interconnecting themelves.
48
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Predominantly Pearlitic
Micrography of the longitudinal section of the cylinder, in the center of the thickness, presenting large graphite flakes in a predominatly perlitic matrix.
49
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - In the Center of the Thickness
Micrography of the longitudinal section of the cylinder, in the center of the thickness, presenting large graphite flakes in a predominatly perlitic matrix. There are also ferritic regions.
33
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Graphite in Flakes
Micrography of the longitudinal section of the cylinder, in the center of the thickness, presenting large graphite flakes in a predominatly pearlitic matrix.
31
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Predominantly Pearlitic
Micrography of the longitudinal section of the cylinder, at the external diameter (right side of the figure), presenting smaller interdendritic graphite flakes in a ferritic-perlitic matrix.
37
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Close to the External Surface
Micrography of the longitudinal section of the cylinder, at the external diameter (right side of the figure), presenting smaller interdendritic graphite flakes in a ferritic-perlitic matrix. This surface is painted.
32
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by SEMDf - Graphite in Flakes
Micrography of the longitudinal section of the cylinder, at the external diameter (right side of the figure), presenting smaller interdendritic graphite flakes in a ferritic-perlitic matrix. It is also possible to see free carbides (cementite) very close to the cylinder surface (less than 50 microns), associated to positions of graphite. This surface was painted.
25
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Ferrite and Pearlite
Micrography of the corroded surface of the cast cylinder, with 0.5 mm penetrations, showing that the graphites are interconnected and create a notch morphology, critical for a material that presents 1% ductility.
31
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - As polished micrographyDf - Close to the Internal Surface
Micrographic detail of the corroded surface of the cast cylinder, with interconnected graphites and a notch effect.
30
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - As polished micrographyDf - Corrosion
Micrography of the painted external surface of the cast cylinder.
25
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - As polishedDf - Close to the External Surface
Micrographic detail of the painted external surface of the cast cylinder.
26
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - As polished micrographyDf - Close to the External Surface
Micrographic aspect of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), close to the internal surface (left side). It is possible to see large graphite flakes.
23
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Close to the Internal Surface
Micrographic detail of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), close to the internal surface (left side). It is possible to see a thick oxide layer at the internal surface, characteristic of 10 years operating with treated water, and the large graphite flakes interconnecting.
23
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Close to the Internal Surface
Micrographic detail of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), close to the internal surface (left side), presenting the thick oxide layer at the internal surface and penetrating in the large graphite flakes, corroding the matrix and easily interconnecting the flakes with a localized effect as a notch.
24
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Close to the Internal Surface
Micrographic aspect of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), in the center of the thickness. It is possible to see large graphite flakes.
25
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - In the Center of the Thickness
Micrographic detail of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), in the center of the thickness. It is possible to see the large graphite flakes in a predominantly perlitic matrix. The fracture follows the graphite flakes.
26
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - In the Center of the Thickness
Micrographic detail of the decohesion of large graphite flakes, interconnecting trough the brittle fracture of the matrix.
25
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - In the Center of the Thickness
Micrographic aspect of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), close to the external surface (left side). It is possible to see a change in the graphite morphology and matrix.
27
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Close to the External Surface
Micrographic detail of the cast cylinder section at the fracture position (top of the figure), close to the external surface (left side), showing smaller and interdendritic flakes in a ferritic-perlitic matrix, but several cracks following the free carbides very close to the surface.
24
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Close to the External Surface
Micrographic detail of the interdendritic flakes in a ferritic-perlitic matrix, with secondary cracks following the free carbides (very close to the surface).
25
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Close to the External Surface
Micrographic detail of the corroded surface of the cast cylinder in contact with treated water, as polished, showing that the corrosion occurs preferentially at the flake to matrix interfaces.
31
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - As polished micrographyDf - Corrosion
Same position of the previous micrographic detail, at the internal surface of the cast cylinder in contact with treated water, after Nital etching, showing the corrosion at the flake to matrix interfaces.
30
VIEW
ML00141 / Jul.2018
Brittle Fracture of a Corroded Gray Cast Iron
M - Gray Cast ironP - CastingAp - EngineCd - Brittle Fracture
Cm - Nital Etched Micrography by OMDf - Corrosion