Basic Information Required to Select Quality Gray Iron Castings

Posted by industrialcomputers01 on November 10th, 2015

Many people are looking for affordable, strong and light gray cast irons that can be used in a variety of industrial operations. However, there are various challenges that exist when it comes to processing of quality iron castings.

First of all, it is important to understand that there are different types of iron castings.  For each different type, you should expect a distinct level of performance, varying compositions and grades depending on their mechanical properties. However, having the right information prior to making the purchase would help you to find a more suitable product.

What are the components of iron castings?

Cast iron is an alloy of carbon and iron, it rarely contains pure iron. In most cases, iron castings will have 2% of carbon together with other compounds like Sulphur, magnesium and phosphorus. The percentage of carbon in cast iron is what affects its performance in most cases. There are also different types of cast irons that contain a variety of components depending on how they are going to be used.

What is gray cast iron?

Gray iron castings are the most commonly used in industries due to their properties. It is easy to distinguish this type of cast iron from the common white cast iron because of its color. This type of iron is hard and comes in a variety of grades. The high grades of gray cast iron are very strong and are often cast in sand molds.

Gray cast iron can also be used in material handling industrial waste reduction. They can be welded using a technique known as fusion welding. This process of welding can be extremely tough and must be done with a lot of caution to avoid cracking. In fact, the major difference between gray cast iron and white iron is the fact that the latter cannot be welded because extreme temperatures can change its properties. The only case where white cast iron can be welded is, when it needs to be softened or become less rigid.

Coming up with a well-designed casting

The process of casting can be a challenge if the right principles are not followed. For instance, there is a need to seek casting solutions that are able to adjust when the metals or alloys solidify. Ensuring that the metal components are able to shrink when they solidify will minimize defects. It is also important to avoid sharp angles and corners when casting as well as ensure the inner walls are proportionate. Abrupt section changes should also be avoided at all costs because they will bring about issues in the casting process.