What is the Difference Between Grey Cast Iron and White Cast Iron?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between grey cast iron and white cast iron lies in their composition and appearance. Here are the key differences:
- Composition: Grey cast iron mainly contains 2.5% to 4.0% carbon, 1% to 3% silicon, and the remainder balance using iron. On the other hand, white cast iron contains about 1.7% to 4.5% carbon and 0.5% to 3% silicon, and it may also contain trace amounts of sulfur.
- Color: Grey cast iron has a grey color due to the presence of graphite flakes in its structure. White cast iron, as the name suggests, has a white color, which is the result of iron compounds known as cementite.
- Fracture Surface: When fractured, white cast iron displays a white-colored crack surface, while grey cast iron produces a grey-colored fracture surface.
- Carbon Content: White cast iron has a higher carbon content compared to grey cast iron.
- Silicon Content: Grey cast iron has a higher silicon content compared to white cast iron.
Grey cast iron is more common and offers good wear resistance, damping capacity, and machinability. It is used in various mechanical engineering applications, mainly for wear-resistant components under medium loads. White cast iron provides exceptional wear resistance but is not as widely used as grey cast iron.
Comparative Table: Grey Cast Iron vs White Cast Iron
The main differences between grey cast iron and white cast iron lie in their microstructures, composition, and resulting properties. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between the two:
| Property | Grey Cast Iron | White Cast Iron |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 2.5% to 4.0% carbon, 1% to 3% silicon, and the remainder balance using iron | 1.7% to 4.5% carbon, 0.5% to 3% silicon, and may contain trace amounts of sulphur, manganese, and phosphorus |
| Microstructure | Graphite flakes in an iron matrix, providing a gray fractured surface | Cementite particles below the surface, providing a white fractured surface |
| Appearance | Grey cross-section | Silver-white cross-section |
| Properties | High compressive strength, moderate strength, good wear resistance, damping capacity, and machinability | Excellent wear resistance, hard and brittle |
| Applications | Mechanical engineering applications, wear-resistant components under medium loads, train wheels, rolls, plowshares, etc. | Billets for steel making, malleable cast iron, and components requiring high surface hardness and wear resistance |
Grey cast iron is more common and offers good wear resistance, damping capacity, and machinability, while white cast iron provides exceptional wear resistance but is harder and more brittle.
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