öntöttvasokat

Öntöttvasak, commonly translated as cast iron, are a family of iron-carbon alloys with a carbon content generally greater than 2%. These alloys are characterized by their excellent castability, meaning they can be melted and poured into complex shapes. The presence of carbon, along with silicon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur, significantly influences the properties of cast iron. Depending on the cooling rate and chemical composition, the carbon can exist as free graphite or iron carbide.

The most common types of cast iron include gray cast iron, ductile iron (also known as nodular iron), white cast iron, and malleable cast iron. Gray cast iron, named for its characteristic gray fracture, has graphite in the form of flakes, providing good vibration damping and machinability. Ductile iron features graphite in a spherical shape, resulting in higher tensile strength and ductility compared to gray cast iron. White cast iron has carbon primarily in the form of iron carbide (cementite), making it extremely hard and brittle, often used for wear-resistant applications. Malleable cast iron is produced by heat-treating white cast iron to convert some of the iron carbide into graphite nodules.

Cast iron is widely used in various industries due to its cost-effectiveness, good wear resistance, and ability to be cast into intricate designs. Applications range from engine blocks and cookware to pipes, machine tools, and decorative items. Its properties can be further tailored through heat treatment and alloying to meet specific performance requirements.