Fracture surfaces and mechanical properties in ductile iron

This work focuses on qualitative and quantitative studies about the fracture surface topography of ductile cast iron samples having different matrices and sizes. Parameters such as: a) surface roughness, b) actual fracture surface and c) actual nodule count on fracture surface were defined and calculated for fracture surfaces of several experimental test samples. These parameters were related to the values of mechanical properties measured on the same samples, and empirical expressions were established. These expressions, together with data taken from the fracture surface of a broken part, could allow to estimate the critical level of stress and deformation which acted on the part.