Both cast iron and cast steel are ferrous materials made mostly of iron and carbon. Cast iron is a ferrous substance that contains more than 2% carbon. Cast steel, on the other hand, contains less than 2% carbon. The fundamental variation in composition is the quantity of carbon in cast iron and steel. Cast iron and cast steel both have excellent casting characteristics and are employed in various applications. Cast iron and cast steel both have excellent mechanical characteristics. This article will look at the fundamental distinctions between cast iron and cast steel.
Which is better, Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
Although both cast iron and cast steel have advantages and disadvantages, the choice between the two is entirely dependent on the actual use and application of the product.
Cast Iron Selection:
- If mechanical strength is less critical, cast iron is an excellent choice.
- If heat preservation is essential, choose cast iron because it has higher thermal capabilities.
- Use cast iron if higher compressive strength is necessary.
- If you need a low-cost item, go with cast iron because grey iron is less expensive to produce.
- Cast iron is commonly used in low-temperature, low-pressure applications.
Cast Steel Selection:
- If ductile behaviour and high strength are required, select cast steel.
- Cast steel has more robust toughness qualities and should be used if the end product is used under impact loading situations.
- If you need high thermal and electrical conductivity, go with cast steel.
- For design versatility, choose cast steel.
- Cast steel is recommended for high-temperature and high-pressure applications.
How to Identify Cast Iron and Cast Steel
There are several methods for identifying cast iron and cast steel. The following are a few tests and techniques:
- Chemical Analysis: Chemical Analysis is the most accurate way of determining whether a specimen is cast iron or steel.
- Spark Test: The spark test is one of the simplest ways to differentiate cast iron and steel. An expert can tell if the material is cast iron or steel by grinding the specimen with an abrasive wheel and observing the spark pattern and colour. Steel usually produces bright yellow sparks, but iron has more red or orange sparks.
The colour of the spark tends to be the brightest at the end of the spark in cast iron, but the colour of the spark in cast steel begins at the grinding wheel and spreads outwards.
- Drilling Test: Drilling cast iron and cast steel look different. In cast iron, the chips produced are pretty short in length and resemble graphite flakes. Cast steel chips, on the other hand, resemble wire chips.
- Grain Structure: The grain structures of broken parts can also be used to distinguish between cast iron and cast steel. Cast iron and cast steel have totally distinct grain structures.
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