Microstructure and properties of LZQT600-3 HCCDIBs for plunger pump cylinder

It is important to improve the comprehensive performance of the ductile iron bars (DIBs) for the cylinder block of the extra high pressure hydraulic plunger pump and accelerate the industrial application. In this work, the LZQT600-3 DIBs with the diameter of 145 mm were prepared by the horizontal continuous casting (HCC) process, that is, LZQT600-3 HCCDIBs. The microstructure and room temperature tensile properties of different sections [left-edge (surface layer), left-1/2R (left half of the radius), and the center of the HCCDIBs] were studied. The results show that the spheroidization of LZQT600-3 HCCDIBs matrix from the left-edge, left-1/2R to the center is at nodulizing grade II and above. As the cooling rate gradually decreases from surface to the center of the HCCIBs, the number of spheroidized graphite is gradually reduced, the size is gradually increased, the shape factor is decreased, and the pearlite content and lamellate spacing are increased. Along the horizontal direction of the section, the hardness of the material is distributed symmetrically around the center of the HCCDIBs. In the vertical direction, the hardness distribution in the center of the HCCDIBs is asymmetrical due to the gravity during the solidification process. Therefore, the microstructure in the lower part of the section solidifies relatively quickly. The left-edge has the best tensile mechanical properties, and the ultimate tensile strength, yield tensile strength and elongation are 597.3 MPa, 418.5 MPa and 9.6%, respectively. The tensile fracture belongs to the ductile-brittle hybrid fracture. The comprehensive performances of LZQT600-3 HCCDIBs meet the actual application requirements of ultra-high pressure hydraulic plunger pump cylinder.