Embrittlement of austempered nodular irons: Grain boundary phosphorus enrichment resulting from precipitate decomposition

The microstructures, mechanical properties, and fracture behavior were characterized for a series of Mg treated nodular cast iron specimens austenitized at 1170, 1255, and 1340 K and subsequently austempered at 640 K. The ductility and toughness of the alloy decreased as austenitization temperatures were increased, which is contrary to the behavior anticipated from the observed micro-structural evolution. Fractographic and surface chemical analyses demonstrated that the mechanical property degradation was associated with embrittlement of the austenite grain boundaries by phosphorus. The primary mechanism of grain boundary phosphorus enrichment does not appear to be equilibrium segregation, and an alternative mechanism based on the decomposition of P rich precipitates is proposed and discussed. © 1985 The Metallurgical Society of American Institute of Mining

Evaluation of sodium sulfite and protein correction in analyses of fibrous compounds in tropical forages

The objective of this study was to evaluate the contents of fibrous compounds in tropical grasses and legumes according to utilization of sodium sulfite in the neutral detergent solution or using a procedure for contaminant protein correction. Samples of ten grasses and ten legumes were used. The contents of neutral detergent fiber were decreased when sodium sulfite was used; however, more prominent reductions were verified in legumes. Sodium sulfite decreased the acid detergent fiber content in both forage groups. The contents of neutral and acid detergent insoluble protein and lignin were reduced by sodium sulfite in legumes, but no effect was observed in grasses with regard to these variables. The decrease in fiber contents in legumes could be explained by the solubilization of lignin and decrease in insoluble nitrogen. However, the decreases in fiber in grasses could not be solely explained by the decrease in contaminant protein and solubilization of lignin, and loss of other fibrous compounds probably occurred. The utilization of sodium sulfite compromises the accuracy of the estimates of fibrous compounds contents in tropical forages. The precision of the estimates were not relevantly increased by sodium sulfite. The correction of insoluble fibrous compounds for protein is suggested instead of using sodium sulfite because there are no modifications on neutral detergent solution or undesirable solubilization of fibrous compounds