Classification of Cast Iron

Classification of Graphite in the Microstructure of Cast Iron

CAST IRON is an iron-carbon cast alloy with other elements that is made by remelting pig iron, scrap, and other additions. For differentiation from steel and cast steel, cast iron is defined as a cast alloy with a carbon content (min 2.03%) that ensures the solidification of the final phase with a eutectic transformation. Depending on chemical specifications, cast irons can be nonalloyed or alloyed. The range of alloyed irons is much wider, and they contain either higher amounts of commoncomponents, such as silicon and manganese, or special additions, such as nickel, chromium, aluminum, molybdenum, tungsten, copper, vanadium, titanium, plus others.

Graphitic cast irons including those that contain small amount s of alloying elements are classified as gray, ductile and malleable according to graphite shape and method of graphite production. More highly alloyed graphitic and white irons are classified by their used requirements as abrasion resistant, corrosion resistant and heat resistant.