A Comparison of Effective Properties of Nodular Cast-Iron Considering Different Shapes of the Representative Volume Element

Abstract

In the present work we use a numerical approach based on a computational constitutive multiscale model to predict the effective Young’s modulus and the Poisson ratio of a perlitic nodular cast iron. In order to obtain the Representative Volume Element (RVE), we use a set of micrographies acquired from an optical device. For each micrograph we define two RVE with different shape, rectangular
and hexagonal. The volumetric fraction of graphite and metal matrix and the boundary of each object were identified on each RVE by using a procedure of image enhanced and segmentation. These set of RVE was meshed with triangular finite elements. The numerical results obtained from both RVE are compared and discussed with results obtained with an analytical expression. Finally, some conclusions are presented.