Nodular Cast Iron Definition, Applications & Advantages

04 Sep.,2023

 

What are ductile iron and ductile iron castings used for?

1.  Piping and fittings

Ductile iron pipes are better than gray iron pipes in transporting water and other liquids. The main reason for this transformation lies in the combination of strength and toughness of ferritic nodular cast iron so that the pipeline made of this material can withstand high operating pressure and can be loaded and unloaded carelessly during laying. The mat gas transmission pipeline must be able to withstand the requirements of multiple-use conditions, i.e. excavation near the pipeline, municipal engineering construction, transportation, etc


2.  Automotive industry

The automotive industry is the second user of ductile iron castings. Ductile iron is used in three main places in automobiles: the first is engine parts, the second is gears and shaft sleeves, and the third is vehicle suspension, brake, and steering device. Most gasoline engines in the world are equipped with nodular iron crankshafts instead of forged steel crankshafts. Ductile iron with excellent properties is replacing gray cast iron in the exhaust pipe. With the increase of temperature, silicon aluminum alloy ductile iron will be further used. Malleable cast iron parts for automobile power transmission are sometimes used as transmission parts of automobiles. There is a strong trend to apply ductile iron to disc clutch, speed divider box, rear axle, and wheel housing. Ductile iron is often used as suspension components, such as spring hooks, as well as the main safety components of braking systems and steering joints.


3.  Agricultural, road, and construction applications

Ductile iron castings widely used in the whole agricultural industry include various tractor accessories, brackets, clamps, and pulleys. The typical component is the two rear axle shells of agricultural vehicles, which originally used steel castings. Road laying and construction industries need a considerable number of various types of equipment, including bulldozers, percussion machines, cranes, and compressors. Ductile iron castings are used in these aspects.


4.  Valve manufacturing

Valve manufacturers are the main users of ductile iron (including austenitic ductile iron). Their applications include the successful transportation of various acids, salts, and alkaline liquids.


5.  General purposes

The machine tool industry utilizes the engineering properties of ductile iron, which allows the design of complex machine tool parts and castings Ductile iron has high tensile strength and yield strength, and good machinability. It allows the production of lighter castings to keep them rigid. Similarly, the strength and toughness of ductile iron make it an ideal material for various hand tools, such as wrenches, clamps, and measuring tools. Similarly, ductile iron rolls are used in steel mills, which have higher properties than steel and chilled cast iron.

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