This page will contain discussion groups about Cast Iron, as they become available.Cast ironCast iron usually refers to grey cast iron, but can mean any of a group of iron-based alloys containing more than 2% carbon (alloys with less carbon are carbon steel by definition). It is made by remelting pig iron, often along with substantial quantities of scrap iron and scrap steel, and taking various steps to remove undesirable contaminants such as phosphorus and sulfur, which weaken the material. Carbon and silicon content are reduced to the desired levels, which may be anywhere from 2% to 3.5% for carbon and 1% to 3% for silicon depending on the application. Other elements are then added to the melt before the final form is produced by casting. Cast irons melt more easily than similar alloys; they are near the eutectic composition in the iron-carbon phase diagram.The iron-carbon eutectic point lies at 1403 kelvins and 4.3 mass % carbon. Since cast iron has nearly this composition, its melting temperature of 1420 to 1470 K is about 300 K lower than the melting point of pure iron. Cast iron tends to be brittle, unless the name of the particular alloy suggests otherwise. The color of a fracture surface can be used to identify an alloy: carbide impurities allow cracks to pass straight through, resulting in a smooth, "white" surface, while graphite flakes deflect a passing crack and initiate countless new cracks as the material breaks, resulting in a rough surface that appears grey. Grey cast ironSilicon is essential to making of grey cast iron as opposed to white cast iron. Silicon causes the carbon to rapidly come out of solution as graphite, leaving a matrix of relatively pure, soft iron. Weak bonding between planes of graphite lead to a high activation energy for growth in that direction, resulting in thin, round flakes. This structure has several useful properties. The metal expands slightly on solidifying as the graphite precipitates, resulting in sharp castings. The graphite content also offers good corrosion resistance. Graphite acts as a lubricant, improving wear resistance. The exceptionally high speed of sound in graphite gives cast iron a much higher thermal conductivity. Since ferrite is so different in this respect (having heavier atoms, bonded much less tightly) phonons tend to scatter at the interface between the two materials. In practical terms, this means that cast iron tends to “damp” mechanical vibrations (including sound), which can help machinery to run more smoothly. All of the properties listed in the paragraph above ease the machining of grey cast iron. The sharp edges of graphite flakes also tend to concentrate stress, allowing cracks to form much more easily, so that material can be removed much more efficiently. Easier initiation of cracks can be a drawback once an item is finished, however: grey cast iron has less tensile strength and shock resistance than steel. It is also difficult to weld. Grey cast iron's high thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity are often exploited to make cast iron cookware. Other cast iron alloysWith a lower silicon content and faster cooling, the carbon in white cast iron precipitates out of the melt as the metastable phase cementite, Fe3C, rather than graphite. These precipitates inhibit plastic deformation by impeding the movement of dislocations through the ferrite matrix, offering hardness at the expense of toughness. Since carbide makes up a large fraction of the material, white cast iron could reasonably be classified as a cermet. White iron is too brittle for most uses, but with good hardness and abrasion resistance and relatively low cost, it finds use in such applications as balls for rolling-element bearings, the wear surfaces (impeller and volute) of slurry pumps and the teeth of a backhoe's digging bucket. It is difficult to cool thick castings fast enough to solidify the melt as white cast iron all the way through. However, rapid cooling can be used to solidify a shell of white cast iron, after which the remainder cools more slowly to form a core of grey cast iron. The resulting casting, called a “chilled casting”, has the benefits of a hard surface and a somewhat tougher interior. White cast iron can also be made by using a high percentage of chromium in the iron; Cr is a stong carbide-forming element, so at high enough percentages of chrome, the precipitation of graphite out of the iron is suppressed. High-chrome white iron alloys allow massive castings (for example, a 10t impeller) to be sand cast, i.e., a high cooling rate is not required, as well as providing impressive abrasion resistance. Malleable iron starts as a white iron casting, that is then heat treated at about 900 °C. Graphite separates out much more slowly in this case, so that surface tension has time to form it into spheroidal particles rather than flakes. Due to their lower aspect ratio, spheroids are relatively short and far from one another, and have a lower cross section vis-a-vis a propagating crack or phonon. They also have blunt boundaries, as opposed to flakes, which alleviates the stress concentration problems faced by grey cast iron. In general, the properties of malleable cast iron are more like mild steel. There is a limit to how large a part can be cast in malleable iron, since it is made from white cast iron. A more recent development is nodular or ductile cast iron. Tiny amounts of magnesium or cerium added to these alloys slow down the growth of graphite precipitates by bonding to the edges of the graphite planes. Along with careful control of other elements and timing, this allows the carbon to separate as spheroidal particles as the material solidifies. The properties are similar to malleable iron but parts can be cast with larger sections. Recycling of Cast IronFor purposes of recycling, cast iron is classified into two types. One is HMS 1, wich means Heavy Melting Scrap grade 1,and HMS 2, which means Heavy Melting Scrap grade 2. This page about Cast Iron includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Cast Iron News stories about Cast Iron External links for Cast Iron Videos for Cast Iron Wikis about Cast Iron Discussion Groups about Cast Iron Blogs about Cast Iron Images of Cast Iron |
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One is HMS 1, wich means Heavy Melting Scrap grade 1,and HMS 2, which means Heavy Melting Scrap grade 2. Claiborne is a name with multiple meanings:. For purposes of recycling, cast iron is classified into two types. Dolores Claiborne -- novel by Stephen King. The properties are similar to malleable iron but parts can be cast with larger sections. Claiborne Farm is a prominent thoroughbred race horse breeding farm in Paris, Kentucky. Along with careful control of other elements and timing, this allows the carbon to separate as spheroidal particles as the material solidifies. -- United States Ambassador to Portugal. Tiny amounts of magnesium or cerium added to these alloys slow down the growth of graphite precipitates by bonding to the edges of the graphite planes. Herbert Claiborne Pell, Jr. A more recent development is nodular or ductile cast iron. Claiborne de Borda Pell -- Senator from Rhode Island. There is a limit to how large a part can be cast in malleable iron, since it is made from white cast iron. Ellis -- Ku Klux Klan member turned civil rights activist. In general, the properties of malleable cast iron are more like mild steel. Claiborne P. They also have blunt boundaries, as opposed to flakes, which alleviates the stress concentration problems faced by grey cast iron. Representative from Tennessee and first governor of the State of Louisiana. Due to their lower aspect ratio, spheroids are relatively short and far from one another, and have a lower cross section vis-a-vis a propagating crack or phonon. William Charles Cole Claiborne -- U.S. Graphite separates out much more slowly in this case, so that surface tension has time to form it into spheroidal particles rather than flakes. Representative from Tennessee. Malleable iron starts as a white iron casting, that is then heat treated at about 900 °C. Thomas Claiborne (1780-1856) -- Democrat; Lawyer; member of Tennessee state house of representatives; U.S. High-chrome white iron alloys allow massive castings (for example, a 10t impeller) to be sand cast, i.e., a high cooling rate is not required, as well as providing impressive abrasion resistance. Representative from Virginia. White cast iron can also be made by using a high percentage of chromium in the iron; Cr is a stong carbide-forming element, so at high enough percentages of chrome, the precipitation of graphite out of the iron is suppressed. Thomas Claiborne (1749-1812) -- Democrat; Member of Virginia state legislature; U.S. The resulting casting, called a “chilled casting”, has the benefits of a hard surface and a somewhat tougher interior. Stephen Claiborne - writer. However, rapid cooling can be used to solidify a shell of white cast iron, after which the remainder cools more slowly to form a core of grey cast iron. Representative from Virginia. It is difficult to cool thick castings fast enough to solidify the melt as white cast iron all the way through. Nathaniel Herbert Claiborne -- Member of Virginia state legislature, U.S. White iron is too brittle for most uses, but with good hardness and abrasion resistance and relatively low cost, it finds use in such applications as balls for rolling-element bearings, the wear surfaces (impeller and volute) of slurry pumps and the teeth of a backhoe's digging bucket. John Marshall Claiborne -- Member of Texas state senate. Since carbide makes up a large fraction of the material, white cast iron could reasonably be classified as a cermet. John Herbert Claiborne -- surgeon and physicist. These precipitates inhibit plastic deformation by impeding the movement of dislocations through the ferrite matrix, offering hardness at the expense of toughness. John Francis Hamtramck Claiborne -- Member of Mississippi state legislature. With a lower silicon content and faster cooling, the carbon in white cast iron precipitates out of the melt as the metastable phase cementite, Fe3C, rather than graphite. John Claiborne -- Republican Congressman. Grey cast iron's high thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity are often exploited to make cast iron cookware. Representative from Missouri. It is also difficult to weld. James Robert Claiborne -- Democrat; U.S. Easier initiation of cracks can be a drawback once an item is finished, however: grey cast iron has less tensile strength and shock resistance than steel. Harry Claiborne -- Democrat; Member of Nevada state house of representatives. The sharp edges of graphite flakes also tend to concentrate stress, allowing cracks to form much more easily, so that material can be removed much more efficiently. Consul. All of the properties listed in the paragraph above ease the machining of grey cast iron. Claiborne -- U.S. In practical terms, this means that cast iron tends to “damp” mechanical vibrations (including sound), which can help machinery to run more smoothly. Hamilton C. Since ferrite is so different in this respect (having heavier atoms, bonded much less tightly) phonons tend to scatter at the interface between the two materials. Ambassador to Vatican. The exceptionally high speed of sound in graphite gives cast iron a much higher thermal conductivity. Representative from Louisiana; U.S. Graphite acts as a lubricant, improving wear resistance. Corinne Claiborne Boggs -- Democrat; U.S. The graphite content also offers good corrosion resistance. Billy Claiborne -- western outlaw. The metal expands slightly on solidifying as the graphite precipitates, resulting in sharp castings. This structure has several useful properties. Weak bonding between planes of graphite lead to a high activation energy for growth in that direction, resulting in thin, round flakes. Silicon causes the carbon to rapidly come out of solution as graphite, leaving a matrix of relatively pure, soft iron. Silicon is essential to making of grey cast iron as opposed to white cast iron. . The color of a fracture surface can be used to identify an alloy: carbide impurities allow cracks to pass straight through, resulting in a smooth, "white" surface, while graphite flakes deflect a passing crack and initiate countless new cracks as the material breaks, resulting in a rough surface that appears grey. Cast iron tends to be brittle, unless the name of the particular alloy suggests otherwise. Since cast iron has nearly this composition, its melting temperature of 1420 to 1470 K is about 300 K lower than the melting point of pure iron. The iron-carbon eutectic point lies at 1403 kelvins and 4.3 mass % carbon. Other elements are then added to the melt before the final form is produced by casting. Carbon and silicon content are reduced to the desired levels, which may be anywhere from 2% to 3.5% for carbon and 1% to 3% for silicon depending on the application. It is made by remelting pig iron, often along with substantial quantities of scrap iron and scrap steel, and taking various steps to remove undesirable contaminants such as phosphorus and sulfur, which weaken the material. Cast iron usually refers to grey cast iron, but can mean any of a group of iron-based alloys containing more than 2% carbon (alloys with less carbon are carbon steel by definition). |