This article investigates the deformation mechanics of cast iron and its
implications for notch analysis, particularly in the automotive industry. Cast
iron’s extensive use stems from its cost-effectiveness, durability, and
adaptability to various mechanical demands. Gray, nodular, and compacted
graphite cast irons are the primary types, each offering unique advantages in
different applications. The presence of graphite, microcracks, and internal
porosity significantly influences cast iron’s stress–strain behavior. Gray and
compacted cast iron display an asymmetrical curve, emphasizing low tensile
strength and superior compression performance due to graphite flakes and crack
closures. Nodular cast iron exhibits a symmetrical curve, indicating balanced
mechanical properties under tension and compression. The proposed simplified
macrostructural approach, based on monotonic stress–strain, aims to efficiently
capture graphite and crack closure effects, enhancing compressive strength and
stiffness. By employing the Neuber and Molski–Glinka methods for notch analysis,
we assume nominally elastic behavior of notched components. This represents a
novel application for gray and compacted cast iron, aiding in predicting
material fatigue life, as demonstrated in other materials with asymmetrical
behavior.
