Major Cast Metals – Characteristics & Applications

Although a variety of metals are used in metal casting, the major ones are Grey Iron, Ductile Iron, Aluminum, Steel and Copper Base. These cast metals are listed below, with their percentage usage, characteristics and applications -

Grey Iron

• Use – 54%
• Characteristics – Heat resistance, damping, economical, low shrinkage and high fluidity.
• Applications - Automobile cylinder block, clutch plate, brake drum, housings and machine tool beds.
  

Ductile Iron

• Use – 54%
• Characteristics – Strength, wear & shock resistance, machinability and dimensional stability.
• Applications - Crank shafts, cam shafts, valves, brackets, rollers and differential housing.

Aluminum

• Use – 12%
• Characteristics – Strength to weight ration & corrosion resistance.
• Applications – Oil & fuel pumps, automobile pistons, clutch housings and connecting rods.

Steel

• Use – 9%
• Characteristics – Machinability, weldability and strength.
• Applications – Machine parts, valves and gears.

Copper Base

• Use – 2%
• Characteristics – Corrosion resistance and high ductility.
• Applications – Valves, marine impellers and hydraulic pump parts.