Corrosion behavior of austempered ductile iron (ADI) in iron ore slurry

Abstract

Corrosion behavior of austempered ductile iron (ADI) in iron ore slurry was studied as a function of the microstructure developed by austempering at 380 and 300°C for different exposure time in the slurry. The corrosion rates of the ADI balls immersed in the iron ore slurry was determined using weight loss method. It was found that the pH of the iron ore slurry increased with time and the corrosion behavior is also influenced by the pH of the slurry and the austempering treatment. The ADI austempered at higher temperature showed better corrosion resistance than the ones austempered at lower temperature. The complex nature of corrosion of ADI is influenced by contents of retained austenite, ferrite and the carbon content in a collective way.

Keywords: Austempered ductile iron, iron ore slurry, weight-loss method