Corrosive Effect of Pineapple Juice on the Fatigue and Hardness Properties of Austempered Ductile Iron

The work investigated the corrosive effect of pineapple juice on the fatigue and hardness properties of austempered ductile iron in a stagnant fluid environment. The test data and the related material constants were used in the fatigue life prediction analysis to aid in the design of components made from ductile iron. Eighteen specimen were divided into three groups and were labelled A1,2,3,4,5,6 , B1,2,3,4,5,6 and C1,2,3,4,5,6. They were subjected to the corrosive medium and each group were removed from the medium at an interval of two weeks respectively. Fatigue and hardness tests were conducted on the samples as well as on control samples D1,2,3,4,5,6 at different corrosion levels. The results obtained showed that ductile iron corroded in pineapple juice and the fatigue strength reduced with increasing retention of samples in corrosive environment until there was no defined fatigue limit at the end of six weeks in the corrosive fluid. Hardness property was not significantly affected in pineapple juice environment. pH progressively went more acidic in the course of corrosion.