Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Posts Tagged ‘iron’

What Can Cast Iron Be Used For?

Cast Iron is used throughout the home, garden and various industrial capacities. It is one of the most durable metals and is exceptionally fire proof. This type of iron gets its name because of the moulding technique that is used; this is where the metal is melted down and poured into casts to mould its shape.

Historically, this type of iron was first used in China where pots and ploughshares were made by pouring iron into moulds. These were then used as weapons and tools or even on a larger scale the Chinese used it as a material when building their pagodas. However it wasn’t until the early 18th century when this technique became popularised by the ever advancing western civilisations.  

When constructing bridges and buildings, this metal became the preferred choice for many developers. However when some of these bridges collapsed that people began to realise, that whilst this material was durable, it was very brittle when pressure is applied.

As more was learned about this material, it was quickly realised it can be used to make durable products that are long lasting within numerous conditions. Not only that, but when heated, they produced an even heat throughout the material.       

Knowing this, it started to be used for tools to help with labour such as cutting food crops and cooking food. Therefore, it became incredibly popular to produce materials such as homeware products and garden ware items. Now there is a huge demand for an ever-increasing range of products in all markets and for all purposes.   

Cast Iron Homeware

The first place where products made out of this metal are popular is the kitchen. Cast Iron cookware is very popular because of its longevity and the way the heat spreads evenly throughout the product, allowing for efficient cooking. For example, you can use a range of skillets, griddles, square griddle pans, chappati pans, flat grill pans, hot plates, casserole dishes, sizzlers, woks, tanginess, etc. The list is endless but the most traditional products are the skillets and griddle pans.

In other rooms of the home, multiple products can be seen. For example there are traditional clothes airers or Victorian clothes airers. These are incredibly effective and stylish ways to dry clothes by using a number of wooden slats that are held together using cast iron ends. These are then suspended high up towards the ceiling where hot air gets trapped.

More conventional products around the home include cast iron door handles and door knobs, hinges for doors and cast iron door stops. Considering it’s a heavy and durable material, using them as door stops, handles and hinges is a great idea. 

Cast Iron Gardenware

You can also find products in the garden; these are well admired as they look incredibly stylish and are long lasting. The most notable pieces of cast iron gardenware include things such as cast iron brackets to hang baskets and flower pots. Not only are these sturdy and practical, they can also be aesthetically pleasing, and complement hanging baskets exquisitely.

Next there are garden taps and cast iron garden benches, tables and chairs. In fact cast iron garden furniture is proving to be something of a godsend for garden lovers, as it can hold out the summer months and rarely needs to be put away, as opposed to wooden furniture which is more delicate. Any piece of garden furniture using this material can enhance your outdoor living space.

Finally, for finishing touches, there are quirky items for the outdoors such as iron weathervanes and sun dials that add a certain panache to your outdoors. Not only that but there are even cast iron post boxes; these look very stylish and with an extensive range of different stylish, you’ll be sure to find one that suits your tastes.

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Thanks!

What is the name of the stuff you rub into bare metal cast iron fire surrounds to keep it metallic looking?

I really need to get some as I’ve stripped my Cast Iron Fire Surround back to bare metal and it looks great but there is something you can buy to make it look metallic looking (Not paint).

Thanks for your time

Jono_not_Bono
x

• Authentic Antique Reproduction
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Product Description
6 ” LONG

2 1/2 ” HIGH

1 3/4 ” HIGH

MARKED BUY AT NORCO AND SAVE

NORCO FOUNDRY SPECIALTY CO

POTTSTOWN,PA

Norco Foundry Cast Iron Pig Piggy Still Bank

I’ve seen on the internet where people use a pile of sand packed tightly to impress the object they want to cast and pour the molten metal into the hole in the sand. Even with fine sand, this does not produce the smoothest surfaces and sometimes the sand becomes embedded in the casting. I knew someone who cast pewter statues and he used this green foam-rubber looking stuff to make molds. Anybody know what I’m talking about?

Welding cast iron calls for some special procedure. Welding cast iron is a challenging task and there can be no two opinions about that. Cast iron, unlike most other steels, has much greater carbon content at 2 to 4 percent. This causes most cast iron to be brittle making it difficult to weld. If the following procedure is followed, cast iron can be welded with relative ease:

Use either cooling or heating while welding cast iron as it is important to keep cast iron out of the 150- to 500-degree F range. Preheating is widely preferred, but there are times when cooling are also done. But stick to either cooling or heating and do not attempt to change in the middle of a weld.

Though preheating the cast iron part should suffice, it is preferable to preheat the entire casting slowly and uniformly in the 500- to 1,200-degree Frange. Be very careful to heat within the stated range as overheating may cause cast iron to crack. The casting should get hot just to the extent you can to touch it comfortably with your bare hand. If need be, make short welds intermittently to avoid overheating.

Occurrences of small cracks when welding cast iron, is inevitable. You can apply some sealing compound to prevent leakages. If there are major cracks you must repair with studding. Studding is a complex process calling for a lot of skills. The first step is to drill and tap holes on the surface that has beveled. The next step is to put in steel studs and the studs should come out 5 to 6 mm above the surface and the studs should then be welded to remain in place.

Preheated welding can be easily done – particularly for small and manageable objects. While welding the cast iron without preheating, it is extremely essential the operator has good control over the welding gun and make the welds as small as possible.

Welding cast iron with an arc welder calls for different procedure. As a matter of fact, persons capable of welding cast iron with arc welder are few in number and there is a great demand for such skilled persons.

You may have to either purchase or hire a SMAW (shielded metal arc welding or stick electrode) welder depending how often you do cast iron welding with arc welder. Plug your welder into a 220V outlet and then plug in your ground cord and welder electrode holder cord into the welder. Please know that to weld cast iron, you need a special electrode. You may buy a 770 stick electrode to weld cast iron.

First of all, clean the surface area to be welded with a wire brush. Clamp the grounding clamp cord from the welder onto the piece of cast iron that has to be welded. Thereafter, place an electrode into the welder electrode holder and position the electrode near where the weld has to begin.

Continue to tap the electrode on the cast iron till an arc is created and begin to weave the electrode stick from side to side. Make it a point to keep the arc slightly away from the piece of steel you are welding. Wait for a few minutes for the weld to cool off gradually. Use the welding hammer to chip off the slag from the top of the weld.

                   Cast iron garden edging is a great and durable method to create a border for your garden or lawn. Depending on the style of edging you prefer, garden hardware can be very simple, whimsical or extremely ornate. Although garden edging is available in a variety of materials including plastic, stone or brick and various metals, cast iron is a strong and low maintenance solution.

            Garden edging hardware is important for both the aesthetic qualities it provides (creating a “finished” look for your garden) and for defining borders for other lawn maintenance. Edging can protect your garden from being mowed over and prevent mulch from spilling out of your garden and grass from coming in. Depending on the type of edging you install you can have either a well defined traditional border or a more decorative design.

            Garden edging is produced today – allowing you to easily incorporate it into any small or large garden. It is available in several finishes that coordinate well with outdoor themes and can blend in with your current motif. Cast iron garden edging offers the added bonus of durability against normal wear and tear that other materials (such as plastic) cannot offer. By installing garden edging rather than methods such as digging a trench to define a garden border, you can add new and interesting designs while protecting your flowers, vegetables of fruits. Other great outdoor and garden ideas include pots and planters, decorative weathervanes and cast iron plant stands to display smaller, potted plant varieties.

             Cast iron garden edging is readily available online as well as in many outdoor and gardening magazines. Search for cast iron construction and be sure to ask questions. When you incorporate edging into your garden you can be sure your garden will reflect your unique personality and protect it from harm. These garden edges can be found online at LookInTheAttic & Company and they offer free assistance and help.

Iron Metal Casting can be referred to as products made out of melted iron molecules. These molecules are, first, poured into mold and allowed to cool. They are then extracted. The casting properties depend a great deal on the foundry practice. They also depend on the cooling rate. Iron contains huge carbon concentrations. This content facilitates melting, simplicity of casting, and machining. Iron casting designs have a great variation owing to the property of iron to resist shrinkage during the process of cooling. The end product attains a great reputation for its strength and durability. Tensile strength ranges between 20,000 psi and over 60,000 psi. The values of hardness (without heat treatment) range between 100 and 300 BHN.

Some factors need to be considered while buying iron Casting . The first thing on the agenda should be, checking the quality of foundry used in products and procedures. This should be done because foundry practices determine the casting properties. The consumer might have a tough time in finding the apt one. Secondly, the concentration of carbon should be looked into. The percentage of carbon commonly ranges between 2.5 and 4%. An addition of even 0.Decreasing the tensile strengh by around 2700 psi is caused by just 1%. Every foundry has different ways of doing things which means their casting procedures will be different from each other.

Green sand molding is the most commonly used type of Metal Casting . Normally, small and medium sized products are produced using this type of casting. Shell molding is preferred for bigger applications. Shell molding facilitates cooling of the mold containing heated metal. This process gives a better finishing to the final product as compared to all the other processes. Centrifugal casting is used for producing big cylinders and pipes. Both, producer and consumer would get highly satisfied if a proper blend of correct casting process and reputed foundry is made.

Iron castings are utilized extensively in machinery, automotive, and agricultural industry. Parts such as turbine and pump housings, dynamometer bases, compressors are made out of iron castings. Majority of manufacturers have the caliber to go for high and low production outputs. They are also entitled to go for short order runs. There are standard prototypes ensuring customer satisfaction and accuracy. Some manufacturers provide finishing services like galvanizing, painting, and machining as well. In general, iron castings include alloy casting, ductile castings, and malleable castings. There are some terms relating to iron castings. They need to be known in order to get a fair idea of iron.

Brinell Hardness Number (BHN): It can be defined as the method used for measuring the hardness of iron. For iron castings, a metal ball of 3000Kg is put on a flat iron piece. After the removal of ball, indentation observed is recorded. This measurement indicates the value of hardness.

Tensile Strength: Tensile strength can be defined as the quantity of bending and stretching undergone by a material before tearing or breaking. Here the metal is iron.

Modulus of Elasticity: It can be defined as the ratio of stress to strain. This value determines the elasticity as well as the stiffness of the concerned material.