Percolation of austenite in ausferritic structures

Austempered ductile irons are produced using special isothermal hardening processes. The process parameters affect the final structure composed of a mixture of austenite and ferrite. Not only the volume ratio of austenite and ferrite but also the morphology, orientation and distribution of grains affect the resulting mechanical properties. Thus, it is necessary to thoroughly study these effects to prepare numerical models that allow the prediction of material behaviour under mechanical or thermal load.