Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.64486/m.65.3.1

Microstructural and Mechanical Modification of Ductile Iron by Niobium Addition

César Becerra ; Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Hidalgo, México *
Felipe Hernández ; Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
Jesús García orcid.org/0000-0003-1456-423X ; Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Hidalgo, México
Zianya Gómez ; Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Hidalgo, México
Marissa Vargas orcid.org/0000-0002-5968-6196 ; Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Hidalgo, México *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of niobium additions on ductile iron through the production of four alloys containing 0 wt.%, 0.11 wt.%, 0.23 wt.% and 0.32 wt.% Nb. Microstructural phases were characterized, and mechanical properties were evaluated through hardness, impact toughness, tensile and wear tests. Niobium promoted carbide formation, which increased from 0.53 % to 2.48 %, and reduced graphite nodularity from 256.1 nod/mm² to 156.4 nod/mm². Hardness in-creased from 13.72 HRC to 26.6 HRC, while the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength reached 746 MPa and 449 MPa, respectively, in Alloy 4. In contrast, impact toughness decreased from 10.45 J to 5 J. Overall, niobium improved wear resistance but reduced the toughness of the material.

Keywords

niobium; ductile iron; pearlite; cementite

Hrčak ID:

344956

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/344956

Publication date:

1.7.2026.

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