Gray iron, or gray cast iron, is an alloy of iron having a honeycomb microstructure. It's named after the grey color of its fracture, which is probably because of the presence of manganese. It's the second most popular alloy in use today, and the second most commonly used cast metal based on weight. If you adored this article and you would like to receive even more facts regarding www.castermetal.com kindly browse through our own web-page. It's used to make everything from kitchenware to motorcycle parts. Carbon steel, on the other hand, is basically aluminum welding pipe fittings made of aluminum, copper, or zinc.
Cast iron pipe fittings have been around since at least the eighteenth century, although they were more prevalent during and even after the Industrial Revolution. These pipes are popular for their ductility, their compressive strength, and their resistance to heat. What makes them a favorite of manufacturers is their relative low cost per unit. They're also relatively easy to weld, making them ideal for both complex and simple applications. The main downside to grey cast iron pipe fittings is that they don't hold up well to corrosion.
So what makes a cast-iron pipe fitting attractive to buyers? Above all, buyers love the relative low cost, which makes them practical even for less serious applications. Consumers also love the grey color, which can either be monochromatic or textured. Some producers even coat their grey material with coatings or powder coatings to further protect it against corrosion. Paint isn't necessary because grey is easily chemically vaporized in any environment.
There are many types of grey cast iron pipe fittings, but all share a basic trait. They all have the ability to withstand heat, corrosive agents, and cold temperatures. Depending on the type of application, each type will have different tensile strength, compression strength, and stress relief. Grey is often chosen because it has the lowest level of distortion, which gives it an even more solid feel when installed. It's also resistant to tectonic stresses, since tectonic forces cause stresses in most materials.
When purchasing this type of iron piping, you should buy those made from galvanized or annealed steel. Galvanized steel has been treated to increase its resistance to corrosion. Annealed steel, meanwhile, undergoes a transformation process that improves its toughness and ensures it won't rust when exposed to different conditions, including high humidity and salt spray. The extra protection comes at a higher price, though.
In addition to being used for plumbing and drainage systems, there are a wide variety of applications where grey cast iron pipe fittings are used. For instance, they're widely used in brake rotors and suspension components, making them a crucial part of vehicle suspensions in today's vehicles. They're also commonly found in boiler houses and steam tunnels, as well as other types of machinery bases, because they provide a safer foundation for machinery that can be heavy, cold, and/or unstable. And due to their extreme durability, they're generally used in places where an investment in material is worth the investment in time and labor.