Austempering is a multi-step process that includes austenitizing, followed by cooling rapidly enough to avoid the formation of pearlite to a temperature above the martensite start (Ms) and then holding until the desired microstructure is formed. It is an isothermal heat treatment process that, when applied to cast iron, produces components that, in many cases, have properties superior to those process by conventional heat treatment. Salt bath has been recognized as the conventional quenching medium for austempering. This study investigates the suitability of jatropha seed oil as quenching medium for asaustempering ductile cast iron. Test samples were austenitized at 9500C; socked for 1hr; austempered for varying periods of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5hrs. The result showed significant increase in tensile strength and impact energy apart from achieving an appreciable increase in hardness. It also tally with recommended values of ductile cast iron austempered in salt bath, implying that jatropha oil can be used as hot bath for the austempering of ductile cast iron.

An experimental program was undertaken to extrude a lead alloy on ELECompact-1500 compression machine.Extrusion variables were extrude diameter (d), die bearing length (h), and included die entrant angle Ө = 90 o . Using experimental values, numerical models were obtained to describe the relationship between extrusion variables and extrusion pressure and extrude deflection. The numerical models were then used to obtain the response pressure predictions for aluminum alloy. Results of validation tests indicated good correlation between predicted and experimental values. The predictions also compare favorably with values obtained by a similar second-order modified upper bound model frequently used in industry for estimating extrusion loads with prediction errors below 4%. Surface responses graphs of extrusion pressure and extrude deflection were also used to define the optimized field for interaction of extrusion parameters for minimizing extrusion loads and controlling extrudes deflection or bending. Owing to fewer input variables, the proposed models were considered convenient options for a quick estimate of extrusion loads and product curvature.