Influence of Nickel on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nodular Cast Iron

This research investigates the nickel content added by 1.1wt%, 2.2wt%, 3.7wt% and 4.5wt% on the microstructure and mechanical properties in the nodular cast iron. The results demonstrate that the microstructure of nickel addition consists of nodule graphite, ferrite and pearlite phase while nickel was added to 4.5 wt% the microstructure becomes ferrite transform to fully pearlite phase. In addition the ductile iron has the highest nodularity (0.79%), followed by 1.1%Ni (0.75%), 2.2%Ni (0.71%), 3.7%Ni (0.69%) and 4.5%Ni (0.58%). The hardness and tensile strength increase when increasing the nickel content. Elongation is enhanced with nickel increasing and reaches a maximum of 12% at 1.1 wt% Ni, then decreases with the further increase of nickel.