Ferrous Materials and Non-Ferrous Metals and Alloys 1 introduction

2.5.3 Malleable Cast Iron

Malleable cast iron is produced from white cast iron. The white cast iron is brittle and

hard. It is, therefore, unsuitable for articles which are thin, light and subjected to shock

and vibrations or for small castings used in various machine components. The malleable

cast iron is produced from white cast iron by suitable heat treatment, i.e., annealing.

This process separates the combined carbon of the white cast iron into noddles of free

graphite.

The malleable cast iron is ductile and may be bent without rupture or breaking the

section. Its tensile strength is usually higher than that of grey cast iron and has excellent

machining qualities. Malleable cast iron components are mainly utilized in place of forged

steel or parts where intricate shape of these parts creates forging problem. This material

is principally employed in rail, road automotive and pipe fittings etc.