Application of state-of-the-art techniques for measurement of fracture toughness has enabled valid toughness measurements to be made on ductile cast irons. The measurement techniques were based on the elastic-plastic approach embodied in the J-integral. Although cast irons are generally perceived as being low in toughness, the values measured on ferritic, spheroidal graphite, ductile cast irons are quite high (K/sub IC/ = 80 to 106 MPa ..sqrt..m or 73 to 96 ksi ..sqrt..in from -80 to 25/sup 0/C. 11 figures, 4 tables.