Ductile iron – also referred to as spheroidal or nodular iron – is actually a group of irons that exhibit high strength, flexibility, durability and elasticity due to their unique microstructure. Cast ductile iron normally contains over 3 percent carbon; it can be bent, twisted or deformed without fracturing.
International standards do not translate, metal-for-metal, the way words might translate.
Is carbon steel better than mild steel? Trick question!
Cast steels can be produced with a wide range of properties. The physical properties of cast steel change significantly depending on chemical composition and heat treatment.
One of the major distinctions in specialization is whether foundries work with ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, or both.
The forging process can produce parts with superb mechanical properties with minimum waste.
Stainless steels are highly corrosion resistant—however, stainless steel applications can still remain at risk to surface damage.
To understand why stainless steel is rust-resistant, and how this resistance breaks down, it is helpful to understand how these alloys are different than other steels.
Aluminum contributes to more than 8% of the earth’s core mass. However, it is difficult to refine compared to other metals, such as iron.
Judging by the name, you might assume that stainless steel never stains—but you’d be wrong. Stainless steel stains less easily than other iron-based metals, but it’s not literally “stainless”. Just like standard steel, stainless can get marked up by fingerprints and grease, develop discoloration, and
Steel comes in many grades, specifications, shapes, and finishes—the World Steel Association lists over 3,500 different grades of steel, each with unique properties. The various types mean that steel can by widely used in infrastructure, appliances, vehicles, wind turbines, and many more applications. Optimizing
Carbon steel and stainless steel have the same basic ingredients of iron and carbon. Their main difference is alloy content—carbon steel has under 10.5 percent alloy
People often assume that cast iron and wrought iron are interchangeable terms for early iron work, but there is a world of difference.
The presence of iron in everyday life began in about 1200 BCE, encompassing a wide range of uses from farming implements to weapons of war. Blacksmiths became a critical profession, working with iron to change its properties and shape the material into tools. Every village and town would have a blacksmith’s shop, where sickles, plowshares, nails, swords, candlestick holders, and more were produced.
For those buying barbeques, however, the choice of stainless used is often 304 vs. 430. (430 is also used for various truck parts.)
We’ve seen a recent trend in tree grates being repurposed by homeowners, artists, and contractors—as cast iron décor for use all around the home!
Steel’s affordability makes it an ideal metal for many projects. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is more expensive,
