Cast Iron

• Brittleness: Cast iron is more brittle than many other materials, and it tends to fracture rather than deform under stress.
• High Wear Resistance: White iron, in particular, exhibits high wear resistance due to its hardness.
• Excellent Castability: Cast iron can be easily cast into intricate shapes, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
• Good Heat Retention: Cast iron cookware is known for its ability to retain and distribute heat evenly.

• Gray Iron: The most common type of cast iron, known for its gray appearance. It has good castability and excellent damping properties. Applications include engine blocks, pipes, and cookware.
• White Iron: Known for its hardness and abrasion resistance, white iron is used in applications where wear resistance is crucial, such as in crushing equipment and certain types of rolls.
• Ductile Iron (Nodular Iron): Contains small amounts of magnesium or cerium, which changes the graphite structure from flakes to nodules. Ductile iron has improved strength and ductility compared to gray iron.
• Malleable Iron: Heat-treated white iron or ductile iron, which undergoes a process called annealing. Malleable iron has good ductility and is used in applications requiring high toughness.

• High Carbon Content: Cast iron has a high carbon content, typically ranging from 2% to 4%. This high carbon content contributes to its unique properties.
• Silicon: Silicon is often present in cast iron to improve fluidity during casting.
• Impurities: Cast iron may contain other elements like sulfur, phosphorus, and manganese, depending on the specific type.

Corrosion Resistance: While cast iron is prone to rusting, surface treatments and coatings can be applied to enhance corrosion resistance.

• Automotive: Engine blocks, cylinder heads, brake disks, and other automotive components.
• Pipes and Fittings: Gray iron is commonly used for water pipes and fittings.
• Cookware: Cast iron cookware is valued for its even heating and heat retention properties.
• Construction: Cast iron is used in various construction applications, including columns and ornamental elements.
• Machinery and Equipment: Certain machinery components, such as gears and pulleys, may be made from cast iron.

Surface Finish: Cast iron surfaces can have a textured appearance due to the sand casting process. Surface finishes can be improved through machining or coating.