Cast iron is used a lot in the kitchen, while steel is used in a lot of things like construction, furniture, and cars. But what’s the difference between the two?
Main Differences Between Steel and Cast Iron
- The presence of carbon is the sole significant distinction between steel and cast iron.
Steel has a carbon content of less than 2%, whereas cast iron has a carbon content of more than 4%.
Cast iron is far more durable than steel.
Steel has no fluidity, whereas cast iron has a high level of fluidity.
Steel has a higher melting point than cast iron, whereas cast iron has a lower melting point than steel.
Steel is an alloy, whereas iron is an element.
Iron is abundant and can even be found in meteoroids, whereas steel is iron scrap.
Cast iron versus steel
First and foremost, steel is made from iron ore and scrap metals, which is why it is referred to as an iron alloy with a fixed carbon proportion.
The carbon content is the key distinction between cast iron and steel. They are both different forms of iron alloys. Cast iron contains more than 2% carbon; it is a carbon-containing mixture of iron-carbon alloys. Steel has a carbon percentage of less than 2%, and many steel alloys have a carbon level of less than 1%.
Cast iron is harder and stronger than steel, although it is not as tough. Steel is harder, but it lacks the hardness and strength of cast iron.
Steel is more ductile and malleable than cast iron, and its melting point is higher.
Cast iron has a higher fragility, a lower toughness, a higher cast ability, a higher stability at higher temperatures, a lower cost, a lower machinability, a lower electric conductivity, a lower plasticity, a lower co-efficient of friction, a lower density, and a lower thermal conductivity.
The following are the distinctions between cast iron and steel:
The primary distinction between steel and cast iron is that steel is ductile and malleable, but cast iron is rigid and has a high compressive strength. Steel and cast iron are iron amalgams with carbon as the main alloying component.
The fundamental contrast between the two components is that steel is made from iron minerals and recovered materials and is referred to as an iron amalgam with regulated carbon.
While about 4% of the carbon in iron is used to manufacture cast iron, less than 2% of the carbon in iron is used to make steel.
Steel, when granulated, generates chips and is moldable. The carbon content is the most noticeable difference between steel and cast iron.
Cast iron is brittle, as engineers discovered years ago while attempting to employ it in structural applications.
An ancient railroad bridge in Pennsylvania is still in service as a tourist attraction, but it was largely demolished after a large storm because the retention bolts connecting the piers to the concrete base were composed of cast iron.They lacked the bend strength of steel and eventually cracked and broke, destroying multiple spans due to the high wind load.
Cast iron applications
Cast iron applications are fantastic when structural strength is not required. Unheated cast iron is difficult to bend and may break, hence most cast iron is done through hot pour into moulds.
It can be heated and formed, but it cannot be extruded in the same way that steel can. As a result, cast iron is almost solely used for ornamental or nonstructural purposes.
When carbon is added to cast iron, it transforms into steel, which has stronger tensile and load bearing strength due to the distinct molecular structure and may be given varied qualities through varying alloys.
None of this is conceivable with cast iron, and once other chemicals are added to make it an alloy, it is no longer iron.
Stainless steel or cast iron is more brittle?
Cast iron is more brittle because it contains more carbon than stainless steel.
Cast iron has lower weldability, malleability or ductility when compared to different grades of steel.
Additional Questions
How do cast irons differ from steel?
The primary distinction between cast iron and steel is their carbon content. While steel typically contains between 0.1–0.5 percent carbon, cast iron generally contains more, exceeding 2 percent. This difference in carbon content has a significant impact on their characteristics and uses. In my experience as a metallurgist, this has shaped how each material is applied in various industries.
How can you tell the difference between cast iron and mild steel?
Mild steel, sometimes referred to as low carbon steel or soft steel, contains between 0.15 to 0.25 percent carbon content and few additional alloying elements. Contrarily, cast-iron, a readily moldable yet brittle iron-carbon alloy, contains from 2 to 4 percent carbon. Distinguishing between the two requires understanding their unique properties and compositions.
What are the major differences between iron ingots cast iron and steel?
Steel holds a significant advantage over iron due to its higher yield and ultimate tensile strength as well as its toughness. Typically, in the various types of steel, the carbon content does not exceed .5% by weight. In terms of strength and durability, steel is often the go-to choice in many industries, making it preferred over iron for certain applications.
What are the advantages of cast iron over steel?
While steel has its own merits, cast iron has unique advantages that make it stand out. For instance, cast iron has better corrosion resistance and castability along with a uniform hardness and structure throughout it. Moreover, Tasso cast iron, due to its low density of 7,3 kg/dm3, can lead to a considerable reduction in weight. Being a material scientist, I have seen these characteristics make cast iron preferred for certain applications, particularly where corrosion resistance is indispensable.