Fatigue Properties of Nodular Cast Iron at Low Frequency Cyclic Loading

Three melts of ferrite-pearlitic nodular cast iron with different charge composition were used for fatigue tests. Wöhler fatigue curves and fatigue strength were obtained, and microstructure and fracture surfaces were investigated. The aim of the paper is to determine the influence of charge composition on microstructure, mechanical and fatigue properties of synthetic nodular cast irons and their micromechanisms of failure. Fatigue tests were realised at low frequency sinusoidal cyclic push-pull loading (stress ratio R = −1) at ambient temperature (T = 20 ±5°C). They were carried out with using the fatigue experimental machine Zwick/Roell Amsler 150HFP 5100 at frequency f ≈ 120 Hz. The results of fatigue tests at low frequency cyclic loading are compared with fatigue properties at high frequency cyclic loading.