The effects of section size and melt holding time on the mechanical properties and microstructure of high silicon ductile cast iron were investigated. The strength, elongation and hardness of the test specimen with smaller cross-section were higher than those with larger one. The nodule count and volume fraction of pearlite of the former were higher than those of the latter. The mechanical properties decreased with increased melt holding time before pouring. Nodularity and nodule count decreased and the volume fraction of pearlite rather slightly increased with it.