Casting offers excellent capacity for design detail, and generally eliminates the need for additional production and assembly. Both steel and iron cast extensively contribute to the commercial and industrial world, due to their material and mechanical properties, and chemical composition.

Cast iron and steel consist of a large group of ferrous alloys, which are cast to shape rather than being formed by working in a solid state. Mechanical and physical properties entirely depend on the shape of the distribution of graphite and the type of matrix surrounding the particles. You can even find crusher liners, wear parts, and Domite as an abrasion-resistant material that is made of premium manganese at reliable foundries.

Material Properties

If we talk generally, cast irons to encompass over 2% carbon and from 1 to 3% silicon. Varying the ratio between carbon and silicon, alloys with different components, casting, and heat-treated particles can produce a range of properties.

Below are the three types of cast iron explained, let’s take a look at them:

1. Gray Cast Iron

Gray cast iron can be cast into desirable form, which usually carries from 1.7 to 4.5% carbon, and from 1 to 3% silicon. It is used for many applications, including machine tools, cast iron pipes and fittings, automotive cylinder blocks, and agricultural gears. It includes properties like heat resistance, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and elasticity.

2. White Cast Iron

When almost all carbon in casting is produced in a combined form, it is called white cast iron. It is very hard and brittle, whereas ductility is feasibly zero. These are less resistant to impact loading than grey iron cast, but they hold a compressive strength.

3. Alloy Cast Iron

It contains alloying components like nickel, chromium, copper, molybdenum, and manganese in adequate amounts to change the physical properties. It carries special properties, such as high wear resistance, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance.

Steel Casting

Steel castings are widely adopted for machine parts and components that can withstand shocks or heavy loads. They are tougher than wrought iron, malleable iron, and cast iron. It is made using many sorts of carbon and alloy steels produced in shaped form and responds well to heat treatment. Further, it is classified into two groups, which include:

1. Carbon Steel Casting

It is positioned as low-carbon, medium-carbon, and high-carbon. Low-carbon steel casting contains carbon of less than 0.2%, medium-carbon has carbon content from 0.2 to 0.5%, and high-carbon steel cast has 0.5% carbon content. Properties include toughness, good fatigue resistance, high strength, wear resistance, hardness, and durability.

2. Alloy Steel Casting

It includes special alloy elements like manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, or vanadium. It consists of two groups – low-alloy steels with an alloy content of less than 8% and high-alloy steels with an alloy content of 8% and more. It offers a high degree of shock and wears resistance, tougher steel, tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and heat-treated elements.

Conclusion:

Hopefully, this guide gave you a thorough overview of iron and steel cast metal alloys, such as materials and mechanical properties, chemical composition, and tension test requirements. Other elements cover subjects like tolerances, properties, fabrication welding, carbon content, low alloy, and high alloy casting, manufacturing, and heat treatment.

About the Author:

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