A Brief Look At How Cast Iron Is Formed
Grey cast iron is a form of cast iron with a complex graphitic structure. It's named after the greenish grey colour of the grey cast that it forms, which is probably due to the presence of manganese. It's the second most popular cast iron used for domestic use, behind only steel, and is also the second most widely utilised grade of alloy in the world (after aluminium).
Like all metals, the fundamental properties of grey cast iron (which includes high compressive strength, good thermal conductivity, good compressive strength and excellent ductility) are determined by the chemical composition of the alloy. By comparing the electrical and physical properties of pure aluminium and pure nickel, it's possible to identify the alloy composition that gives each material its specific strength. Cast iron is primarily obtained from iron ores such as steel, tin and zinc. The particular strength of the alloy can be attributed to the porosity of the iron itself, and this in turn is influenced by several other elements. There are four key structural characteristics of Grey cast steel, and they are coupled to one another through various proportions and combinations, which give the material its unique properties.
Compressive strength - refers to the amount of stress a load can exert on an object, and refers to how much the object can be strained at once. Generally, the higher the compressive strength, the thicker the piece of grey iron will be. Grey cast iron is ideal for making frames because it has low tensile strength, and is therefore very light. However, it's a poor substitute for stainless steel because it is not as tensile, meaning that it is more prone to bending. This means that the grey cast iron products are not as strong as they appear to be.
Galvanic strength - refers to how much electrical charge (ionized or non-ionized) an object can potentially carry. Essentially, it refers to how much charge can be carried by any material, including Grey cast iron. The higher the galvanic strength, the stronger an object is capable of being. Therefore, it is best used where weight is an issue, but is otherwise ideal for use where power is required. For instance, because of the small amount of electricity required for a grey iron fan, galvanic strength is not as important as many other factors.
Nodular cast Iron is composed of two different alloys, both of which differ significantly in chemical composition. The most significant difference is found between the two alloys, which are generally grey, and graphite. Graphite is formed by the breakdown of carbon. Because of this, the alloys have a slightly different chemical composition than grey cast iron.
Galvanic strength is important in determining the performance of many modern day tools, such as pliers, saws, and rivets. However, the significance of this weakness in graphitic metals is often overlooked. It is important to understand that despite the small size of the alloys, they are very strong, which makes them often used for construction purposes. This leads many industries to commonly use grey cast irons, because of their strength and durability.