Gray cast iron is a unique type of cast iron metal used in a wide range of products. From cinder blocks and consumer cookware to industrial equipment applications, this unique material offers a number of benefits compared to other metals.
What Is Gray Cast Iron? An Overview:
The material gets its name due to its uniform gray appearance, resulting from the graphite microstructure throughout the metal. In today’s manufacturing world, gray cast iron is the most commonly used form of cast iron across many different consumer product sectors, as well as within industrial applications.
What Are the Most Common Uses for Gray Cast Iron?
It is used for housings where the stiffness of the component is more important than its tensile strength, such as internal combustion engine cylinder blocks, pump housings, valve bodies, electrical boxes, and decorative castings. Grey cast iron’s high thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity are often exploited to make cast iron cookware and disc brake rotors.[3]
A List of the Most Common Consumer Products and Industrial Components Made From Gray Cast Iron:
- Cinder Blocks – Gray cast iron’s most common use is as an additive for cinder block manufacturing. Cinder blocks are used ubiquitously throughout the construction and architectural industries, as well as in many other industrial operations.
- Manhole Covers – Another everyday use for gray cast iron is manhole covers on city streets, for which gray iron is typically the primary material.
- Cylinder Blocks for Internal Combustion Engines – The majority of internal combustion vehicles produced for well over a century have used engines built from gray cast iron cylinder blocks. It is a reliable, cost-effective manufacturing material that has helped build the automotive industry.
- Industrial Machinery Parts – From housing materials and hydraulic parts to machine bases and various components, gray cast iron is commonly used for a wide range of machinery in industrial manufacturing applications.
Quality American Gray Iron Casting Services Since 1905
Located in Coffeyville, Kansas, Acme has proudly remained one of America’s leading gray iron casting foundries since 1905. We are an ISO 9001:2015 certified domestic manufacturer dedicated to delivering quality, consistency, and responsive customer service for all of your custom casting needs.