There are four basic types of cast iron

  • white iron
  • gray iron
  • ductile iron
  • malleable iron

[h=White Cast Iron]3[/h] Characterized by the prevalence of carbides, impacting

  • high compressive strength
  • hardness
  • good resistance to wear

[h=Gray Cast Iron]3[/h] Characterized with graphite in the microstructure, giving

  • good machinability
  • good resistance to wear and galling

[h=Ductile Cast Iron]3[/h] Gray iron with small amounts of magnesium and cesium which nodulates the graphite, resulting

  • high strength
  • high ductility

[h=Malleable Cast Iron]3[/h] White cast iron heat-treated to improve

  • higher ductility