Definition of cast iron Cast iron

cast i•ron

We found 9 definitions of cast iron from 6 different sources.

What does cast iron mean?

Noun
cast iron - an alloy of iron containing so much carbon that it is brittle and so cannot be wrought but must be shaped by casting
		atomic number 26, fe, iron home appliance consisting of a flat metal base that is heated and used to smooth cloth
		alloy cast iron, alloy iron cast iron containing alloying elements (usually nickel or chromium or copper or molybdenum) to increase the strength or facilitate heat treatment
		pot metal an alloy of copper and lead used especially for making large pots
		pearlite a lamellar mixture of cementite and ferrite formed during the cooling of austenite; a constituent of steel and cast iron

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cast iron (Noun)
A hard and brittle, but strong, alloy of iron, carbon, and silicon, formed by casting in a mould.
cast iron (Adjective)
Made of cast iron .
cast iron (Adjective)
Durable; tough; resiliant.
cast iron (Adjective)
Inflexible or without exception.

cast iron
Highly carbonized iron, the direct product of the blast furnace; -- used for making castings, and for conversion into wrought iron and steel. It can not be welded or forged, is brittle, and sometimes very hard. Besides carbon, it contains sulphur, phosphorus, silica, etc.

Cast iron is an alloy of iron. The term is usually used for grey cast iron. There are two main types of cast iron: "grey cast iron" and "white cast iron". The differences between the two are mainly based on the amount of silicon in the alloy. All cast iron has about 95% iron in it. Grey cast iron has 2% silicon and 3% carbon. White cast iron has less silicon.

The silicon in grey cast iron causes the carbon to change into graphite. This causes it to have a dark grey or almost black color. With less silicon, the carbon in white cast iron changes to cementite or "iron carbide" (Fe3C). This causes white fractures to form on the surface and give white cast iron the name.

Grey cast iron is very good at conducting heat. Because of this, it is often used to make cookware.