What Are The Properties And Uses Of Cast Iron?
Grey iron is a very useful metal i engineering construction. The main advantages in favour of its use are as follows Its cheapness Its low melting point {1150 – 1200 centigrade} Fluidity when in the molten condition It is easily machined A further good property of cast iron is that the free graphite in its structure seems to act as a lubricant, and when large machine slides are made of it a very free- working action is obtained. The fluidity of iron when in the molten condition enables it to be used widely for making casting of parts having intricate shapes such as the bodies of machines and other components. These are cast with metal from the eupola, in moulds prepared in sand, the moulds being made from wooden patterns The fracture of grey cast iron shows a crystalline or granular structure and a strong light will give a glistening effect due to reflection on the free graphite particles. The presence of this free graphite is also shown when filing or machining cast iron as it makes o
