Use Of Austempering

The process of Austempering was used extensively during World War II in the production of gun parts. It was found that this process resulted in parts and low distortion that were tougher than the tempered and quenched components they replaced. Some important gun parts are still routinely Austempered. However, the best equipment available for this process then was very inefficient. Therefore, this process was relatively very expensive.

The main aim of austempering is to provide the strength driven materials in different machine parts. The concept of this process is different from the traditional form of heat treating, in which there is fast quenching of austenite in fluid or oil at room temperature. It will form the martensite, which is hard, but at the same time, it needs tempering for becoming ductile and it is highly brittle.
The outcome of this process is dependent on the material used for the it.

The Austempered Ductile Iron is a specialty heat treated material that takes advantage of the low cost manufacture-ability and near-net shape technology of ductile iron castings to make a low cost, high strength, and excellent abrasion resistant material. Six grades of this process are available to address the property combinations of abrasion resistance, high strength, weldments and assemblies and toughness for converting from costly forgings. The Austempered Ductile Iron has found successful applications across many industries, including Mining and Construction, Agriculture, Heavy Truck, Railroad and Automotive.

Overall, this process is a well composed process, which helps to enhance strength, resistivity for wear and tear and toughness. It is better to get the process done through the commercial company of heat treating as they will work with proper processes.