Our daily activities comprises of using many small and big things having vital role in many activities. Big containers, candles, bottles, hammers, work pieces, sculptures etc are few of the many materials which have found their applications in our day to day activities. All these materials are designed to offer convenience and ease while working. Many statues and sculptures are shaped using created models.
Molds are created to produce items of similar shape and this process is termed as casting. A manufacturing process in which molten material is poured into the hollow cavity and after cooling it take shape of the mold. Casting is basically solidified part which is taken from mold to complete the entire process. This process is used to design shapes which are complex and difficult to design. This practice is followed due to its cost effective nature and ability to simplify the complex shapes.
Plastic, aluminum, glass or iron, any material can be melted to form shapes. Amongst many types, grey casting offers caster huge flexibility and freedom to make numerous shapes. Cast iron is used for this type of casting and it is derived from pig iron and also termed as grey iron. Grey cast iron is called because of the grey fractured surface and presence of the graphitic flakes deflects.
Cast iron casting produces metal parts having low physical requirements, like oil pan, protective cover etc, frame, floor, hammer, handle base. Frame, knife, wheels, valves, pipes, motor blocks etc are the products which are produced using this casting. Gear box, brake wheel, coupling plate, medium pressure valve, cylinder liner, flywheels, and cylinder blocks are prepared using grey casting and have also found extensive applications in industries.
Cast iron casting makes use of material with good vibration damping, good wear resistance and good machine ability. However, it has low tensile strength and elongation, but ductile casting process makes use of ductile iron and malleable iron having great strength, amazing ductile properties and is also tough and offer resistance to heat. Ductile casting's characteristics make them win over ductile steel casting, as it has high and complex production cost. Pressure pipes and fittings, automotive applications, road and construction applications, general engineering applications are various areas where casted ductile iron and malleable iron are used.
Several advantages of
grey casting have opened its door in various fields, but at the same time it has to be linked with many drawbacks. This casting process cannot be used for variety of working conditions, which can be provided by ductile steel casting and
iron steel casting. Besides, not so good mechanical properties deprive cast iron from being welded and workable. There are many advantages and disadvantages which tells you to decide; what to choose and where?
