Effects of alloying elements on the mechanical properties of hardened and austempered 3.60wt%C - 2.50wt%C ductile cast iron were investigated. Strength and hardness were increased and ductility was decreased as the amount of alloying element increased. The increasing effect of copper addition on the strength was the most pronounced. The strength and hardness were greatly increased and ductility was decreased by hardening. The effect of alloying element on the mechanical properties of the hardened ductile cast iron was not so pronounced due to the high contents of C and Si. The strength and hardness of austempered ductile cast iron were greatly increased, meanwhile the difference of strength from that of hardened one was not so big. The ductility of the former was higher than that of the latter. The strength and ductility of austempered ductile cast iron with 0.25%Mn were the maximum of all Mn added ones. The maximum strength of that was obtained with the addition of 0.80wt%Cu or 2.00wt%Ni along with this amount of Mn added.