Cast iron is an iron-carbon alloy with a carbon content greater than 2.1%. It is obtained by remelting cast iron (part of steelmaking pig iron) in a furnace, adding ferroalloy, scrap steel, and returned iron to adjust the composition.
Iron castings have excellent castability and can be made into complex parts, and generally have good machinability.
But it has the following disadvantages:
The great hardness and brittleness of cast iron make cast iron have disadvantages different from other metals. Cast iron workpieces are prone to damage such as cracks or breakage during machining, transportation, and installation. In addition, because cast iron is relatively brittle, once it is bent or hit by an external force, it is easy to crack.
Cast iron is easily corroded by moisture and oxygen in the air, which will form rust and reduce the surface quality of cast iron components. If the surface of cast iron is not specially prepared, then it will need frequent painting or some special rust inhibitor.
The manufacturing cost of cast iron is relatively high, and the required equipment and technology are relatively complicated. This also leads to higher prices for cast iron products. In some applications, the cost is also one of the important factors in deciding whether to use cast iron.
In short, cast iron is a very commonly used metal material with a wide range of applications and excellent performance.
Of course, it also has some disadvantages that need attention, such as brittleness and easy rust. Therefore, when choosing a material, you should weigh its advantages and disadvantages and choose the material that best suits your needs.
Steel Types Carbon steel Alloy steel Stainless steel Tool steel Advantages of Steel Disadvantages of Steel Cast Iron Types Gray iron Ductile iron Malleable iron Advantages of Cast Iron Castability Wear resistance Machinability Cost-effective Disadvantages of Cast Iron Brittleness Corrosion…