Wrought Steel vs Cast Steel

Wrought steel and cast steel are often confused by consumers and manufacturers, as both are types of iron-based materials. However, they are fundamentally different in terms of composition, properties, and applications.

Wrought steel is typically produced by heating the metal and then shaping it using mechanical processes such as rolling or forging. On the other hand, cast steel is created by melting the metal and pouring it into a mold where it solidifies. The name itself indicates the method of production: "wrought" refers to the working process, while "cast" relates to the molding technique.

Wrought steel is known for its high ductility and malleability, making it ideal for applications that require bending or shaping without breaking. It has lower carbon content compared to cast iron, which makes it more workable and easier to weld. This type of steel also offers excellent strength when formed, making it suitable for structural and mechanical uses. Key benefits include:

• Excellent welding properties, allowing for versatile shaping according to specific needs.
• High flexibility and ductility, ideal for products requiring resilience.
• Strong tensile strength, suitable for harsh environments.
• Easy to forge, enabling the creation of complex shapes with ease.

Cast steel, on the other hand, contains a higher percentage of carbon (typically 2.0–4.0%) and is often used in industrial and construction settings. It is created by melting iron ore and blending it with other metals and alloys before being poured into molds. Due to its high carbon content, cast steel is harder and more brittle than wrought steel, but it still offers good strength and durability. Some advantages include:

• High compressive strength, providing resistance to pressure.
• Good durability and toughness, especially when alloyed or heat-treated.
• Excellent machinability, making it easy to cut, drill, and shape.
• Good wear resistance, particularly when enhanced with elements like chromium or molybdenum.

Difference between wrought steel and cast steel

Right technique for welding cast steel, check 4140/ 4340 Steel Heat Treatment and Casting hardness

Heat Treatment of cast steel

• Annealing
• Precipitation Strengthening
• Tempering
• Case Hardening
• Normalising
• Quenching

Refer advantages of Cast and Wrought Steel products

Advantages and Disadvantages of cast iron steel

Advantages

• Cast iron has excellent fluidity after melting
• High Wear Resistance
• Excellent Machinability
• Compression Strength
• Low Cost

Disadvantages

• It is relatively brittle and may fracture
• Very easily get rusted
• It is relatively heavy

Advantages of wrought iron

• Increased ductility
• Excellent weldability
• Easily forged
• High tensile & compressive strength
• Enhanced malleability

Check difference between puddling of cast iron and Metal Casting process

Puddling process vs Metal Casting process

The puddling process involves converting pig iron into wrought iron by heating and stirring it in a furnace without using charcoal. This was one of the earliest methods for producing wrought iron in large quantities.

In contrast, the metal casting process involves melting metal and pouring it into a mold to form the desired shape. The metal flows through a channel called a sprue, and once cooled, the final product is removed. This method is commonly used for creating complex shapes that would be difficult or expensive to make otherwise.

Types of cast iron

Properties of 4140 cast steel

• Hardness
• Ductility
• Wear resistance
• Corrosion resistance
• Toughness
• Strength
• Machinability
• Weldability
• Low-temperature properties
• High-temperature properties

Types of Cast Steel material, check grades, composition, and density in kg/m3

Chemical composition of Cast iron

Cast Iron mechanical properties

AISI 4140 Heat Treatment

Wrought Iron chemical composition

Wrought Steel mechanical properties

Inspection and Testing of Cast steel

• Dimensional accuracy
• Surface finish condition
• Internal soundness
• Chemical analysis
• Heat analysis
• Tensile properties
• Impact properties
• Hardness

Manufacturing process of 4340 steel casting

• Furnace charging
• Melting
• Refining
• De-slagging
• Tapping (or tap out)
• Furnace turn-around

Refer cast steel valves uses and temperature limit

Cast steel valves temperature range

Difference between Wrought Iron and Steel

Surface finish of Cast iron parts

• Shot Blasting
• Painting
• Powder Coating
• Electroplating

Natural Gas Purification Heat Transfer Fluid

propylene glycol heat transfer fluid,dowtherm sr1,duratherm heat transfer fluids,dynalene hc 50

Heat Transfer Fluids , https://www.armcoltherm.com