Cast Iron

Cast iron is a metal alloy made from iron, carbon, silicon, and other elements. It’s produced by heating iron ore in a furnace until it melts, then pouring the liquid iron into molds. The resulting metal is hard, brittle, and nonmalleable.

Material Properties

Composition: Cast iron is primarily made of iron, carbon, and silicon, but may also contain other elements.
Hardness: Cast iron is hard and resistant to abrasion and indentation.
Brittleness: Cast iron is brittle and fractures under excessive tensile loading.
Strength: Cast iron is strong and can withstand heavy loads.
Durability: Cast iron is durable and can last a long time.
Heat retention: Cast iron retains heat well, making it ideal for cooking and industrial machinery.
Corrosion resistance: Cast iron has moderate corrosion resistance, but can rust if not treated properly.
Damping capacity: Cast iron’s high density and stiffness give it good damping capacity.
Machinability: Cast iron is machinable, but it can be abrasive to tools.
Melting point: Cast iron has a relatively low melting point and good fluidity.

Material Chemical Compostion

The chemical composition of cast iron determines its properties, such as its strength, ductility, and castability.
Types of cast iron
Gray cast iron: A popular type of cast iron that contains graphitic microstructures, giving it a gray color. It’s easily cast, but it can’t be forged or worked mechanically.
White cast iron: Used in mining, crushing plants, and in the manufacture of grinding balls.
Ductile cast iron: Used in crankshafts and other applications where toughness is important.
Malleable cast iron: A type of cast iron with a specific carbon and silicon range.