SUMMARY
This article presents the results of a set of innovative research to analyse a new structural material – steel like austempered ductile cast iron with mechanical properties similar to heat-treated steel, and with technological and exploitation characteristic close to high-strength cast iron with nodular graphite. Specific examples of its high efficiency for the manufacture of critical, mass and heavy-loaded components of modern machinery and equipment are presented. New structural material MoNiCa was tested on tension and was compared to commercial grades of austempered ductile cast irons and heat treated steels. Unconventional behaviour of examined material was observed: with tensile strength increase to almost 1600 MPa the metal became less brittle. Hardness test revealed another distinctive feature of new material that there is no linear relation between strength and hardness increase, different hardness values ~ 40 HRC or ~ 55 HRC can be achieved with the same tensile strength 1000–1200 MPa. Microscopic analysis demonstrated of sophisticated structure formed owing to different regimes of austempering treatment. Specific properties emerged from successful ratio of three elements Mo, Ni, and Cu (carbon equivalent), and properly chosen heat treatment modes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.25.3.23079