Cast iron differs from steel visually?

Maloizvestnye a person believes that the main structural material of our time is iron. Versed knows that the word “iron” refers to iron alloys – steel and cast iron. It would seem that two completely different materials and they are very easy to distinguish. However, given the wide range of their types and grades, subtle differences in the chemical composition of some of them is difficult to determine. It is important to have additional skills in order to know the answer to the question: cast iron differs from steel?

Cast

Alloy containing iron, carbon in the amount of 2.14 is 6.67, sulfur, phosphorus, manganese, silicon and other additives is called cast iron. The history of smelting began in the iron age. Important structural material, the Foundation of all metallurgy and steelmaking.

Features:

1. Rough, with grey matte color.
2. Melting at 1000-1600С depending on composition (for industrial average – 1000-1200C, and white pig iron melts at higher temperatures).
3. Density: 7200-7600 kg/m³.
4. Specific heat capacity: 540 j/(kgs).
5. High hardness: 400-650НВ.
6. Low plasticity, very crumbly when exposed to pressure; higher values of elongation has high strength ductile cast iron δ=6-12%.
7. Low strength: 100-200 MPa, forging its values reach 300-370 MPa for some grades of high-strength – 600-800 MPa.
8. Simulated using heat treatment, however rarely and with great caution, as it is characterized by the process of cracking.
9. Legerrette by means of auxiliary chemical elements, however, a significant degree of alloying further complicates the technological processes.
10. Characterized by satisfactory weldability, good machinability, excellent casting properties. Forging and stamping is not subject.
11. Good abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance.

Cast iron – material for basic parts, units, components of machines, manufactured in a casting process. Litovoi is the main component of steel production.

Steel

Iron-alloy containing carbon in an amount of not more than 2.14 percent and iron – at least 45% is called steel. Its main features are:

1. Sleek, is silver in colour with a distinctive sheen.
2. Melting within 1450С.
3. Density ranges from 7700 to 7900 kg/m³.
4. Heat Capacity at room temperature: 462 j/(kgs).
5. Low hardness, averaging 120-250 NV.
6. Excellent ductility: the elongation δ for a variety of brands varies in the range of 5-35 %, most – δ≥20-40 %.
7. Average values of tensile strength for construction materials – 300-450 MPa; for rugged alloyed – 600-800 MPa.
8. Responds Well to correction properties using thermal and himioterpevticescoy processing.
9. Actively legarrette different chemical elements in order to modify the properties and destination.
10. Qualitatively high levels of weldability, machinability pressure and cutting.
11. Is Characterized by low corrosion resistance.

Steel – the main structural alloy in modern metallurgy, mechanical engineering, instrument making and technology.

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Define origin type details

Having Examined the detailed characteristics of these alloys, we can confidently use knowledge about cast iron to steel different. With a metal object, doubting its origin, from rational to recall the main distinctive technological properties. So, cast iron – foundry material. It produces simple dishes, massive tubes, casings of machines, engines, large objects of simple configuration. Of steel to produce parts of all sizes and complexity, as it applies forging, stamping, drawing, rolling and other methods of metal forming. Thus, if there is a question about the origin of the fittings, clear – steel. If you are interested in the origin of massive cauldron – cast iron. If you want to know what made the engine block or the crankshaft – resort to other options of recognition, as both are possible.

Color characteristics and fragility analysis

In order to know how to distinguish iron from steel by eye, you need to remember the main visual differences. For cast iron typical matte gray color and rougher external texture. The steel is characterized by a special silvery shiny shade and minimal roughness.

Also important knowledge about how to distinguish cast iron from steel visually, is information about the plasticity of these materials. If the investigated workpieces or metal objects do not have serious values, you can try them out in strength and ductility by applying an impact force. The brittle cast iron will crumble to pieces, while the steel just deformed. For more serious strains, to crushing,crumbs of cast iron work of small of various shapes, and pieces of steel – big, correct configuration.

Cutting and drilling

How to distinguish cast iron from steel at home? You need to get out of it fine dust or chips. As the steel has high plasticity, and shavings it has a meandering character. Cast iron also crumbles during drilling formed a small chip fracture along with dust.

For more dust you can use a file or a rasp and a bit of sharpening edge details of interest. Received fine shavings to consider on hand or white sheet of paper. Cast iron contains carbon in large amounts in the form of graphite inclusions. Therefore, when rubbing his dust remains black graphite “track”. In steel the carbon is in a bound state, therefore the mechanical influence on the dust gives no visible results.

Heating and spark

How to distinguish cast iron from steel? It is necessary to operate the necessary equipment and a small stock of patience.

In the first case, you can resort to heat, for example, using a blowtorch, initially dressed in special protective clothing and following safety rules at work. The temperature should increase prior to melting of the metal. Has been said that the melting point of cast iron is higher than steel. However, it is mainly white and pig iron. With respect to all industrial brands - they contain carbon in an amount of not more than 4.3 % and melt already at 1000-1200C. Thus, it is possible to melt much faster.

Informative method of obtaining information about cast iron from steel what is different is the use of the experimental sample on a grinding machine or a spicy circle grinding machines. The analysis is carried out on the characteristics of the sparks. For cast iron typical dim sparks of red, and for steel – short bright blinding rays of white-yellow tint.

Sounds

An Interesting feature is how to distinguish iron from steel by the sound. These two alloy sound different. It is not necessary to produce a musical accompaniment on the available experimental facilities. But you must have both or have experienced hearing in this matter. The steel is characterized by higher density, which is reflected in her sound. When hitting her with a metal object it makes the sound much more sonorous than the same situation with cast iron.

In order to know cast iron from steel what is the difference, you must have a little knowledge about these materials and some experience. As an experienced professional in the field of forging, grinding, milling, drilling, turning, heat treatment or welding, Metallurgist or technician easy to distinguish between them, considering only visually or by touch.