Standard Microstructures of Cast Iron

✓ The Standard Samples + Excitements on these

well known microstructures

✓ Lab video

✓ Questions you need to address

1200 BC and Continuing……..highest volume in terms of castings

Easy to manufacture….

But there are Challenges!

 White surface: carbide impurities -
exhibiting silver-like (white) fracture

A lower silicon content + faster cooling –

metastable cementite
instead of graphite

C-2 : White cast Iron Large cementite + austenite –

transformation to martensite
Composition: 4.2% C, 0.6% Mn, 0.8% Si.
Treatment/Hardness: Cast in metal mold / 450 BHN
Etchant: 2% Nital
Hardness + abrasion resistance properties
+ low cost + wear resistance + high
compressive strength
C-1 : Hypoeutectic White cast Iron C-3 : Hyperutectic White cast Iron

Composition: 4.8% C, 0.8% Si, 0.6% Mn.

Composition: 3.2% C, 0.8% Si, 0.6% Mn.
Treatment/Hardness: Cast in metal mold / 500 BHN
Treatment/Hardness: Cast in metal mold / 400 BHN
Etchant: 2% Nital Etchant: 2% Nital
From cement to mineral dressing and abrasive slurry
 Oldest….but still going strong

C-4 : Grey White cast Iron

Composition: 3.2% C, 0.8% Mn, 2.2% Si.

Treatment/Hardness: Sand Cast / 200 BHN

Etchant: Unetched
And then Cast Iron……..

Crank and Cam Shafts

As Building Material

As Cookware

Engine Support for Large Harvester

C-5 :Malleable cast Iron C-6 : Spheroidal cast Iron

Composition: 2.6% C, 0.8% Mn,1.2% Si, Composition: 3.5% C, 0.6% Mn,1.8% Si,
0.05%P, 0.05%S 0.8%Mg.

Treatment/Hardness: Cast in metal mold Treatment/Hardness: Sand Cast inoculated

and annealed at 930° / 150 BHN with Magnesium; 200 BHN

Etchant: 2% Nital Etchant: 2% Nital

Good tensile strength and the ability to flex without
breaking (ductility).
electrical fittings, hand tools, pipe fittings, washers,
brackets, fence fittings, power line hardware, farm
equipment, mining hardware, and machine parts
 Crank and Cam Shafts

Engine Support for Large Harvester

Lab Video
Questions You Need to Answer
Questions:

1. Compare mechanical properties with reference to its

microstructures for different cast irons.
2. Explain Hypereutectic, Eutectic and Hypoeutectic white Cast iron
with the help of Fe-C equilibrium phase diagram.
• Write short notes on:
• a) Machinability of Cast Iron
• b) Weldability of Cast Iron
• c) Damping Capacity of Cast Iron
• d) Applications of Cast Iron