Metals
Ferrous
Non ferrous
Ferrous
Pig iron Cast iron Wrought iron Steel
Pig iron
Pig Iron is the intermediate product of smelting iron ore with a
high carbon fuel like coke, normally with limestone as a flux
material
Contents – high carbon content of 3.5-4.5%, along with 0.5 to
3% silicon and other constituents of dross(0.04 to 0.2%
manganese and 0.04 to 1% phosphorus)
They are very brittle and not usefull directly
APPLICATIONS: used in making Wrought iron, cast iron and
steel
Cast iron
Composition :Alloy of iron and 2-5% carbon, 1-3% silicon and traces of magnesium,
sulphur and manganese
Properties and characteristics: it is very strong but brittle. Cast iron has relatively low
melting point, is
wear resistant, possesses good fluidity, has admirable machinability and is resistant to
deformation
Application: It is used to manufacture machine frames, columns, beds and plates, housing
flywheel,
manhole cover, automotive parts such as engine block, cylinder head, gear box case and
machine parts
which are not subjected to tension and shocks.
Cast Iron is divided into following types:
Grey Cast Iron
White Cast Iron
Malleable Cast Iron
Ductile Cast Iron
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron
It is composed of 99.8% iron .It is produced from pig iron by buring carbon, silicon,
manganese, phosphorus and sulphur in a puddling furnace, since the carbon
content is very less, it cannot be hardened by heating and quenching in water
Chemical composition: it contains a 0.02% carbon, 0.12% silicon, 0.018% sulphur,
0.02%phosphorous and slag of 0.07%.The balance is iron
Properties : it is soft, highly ductile and has very high toughness. The Machinability is
good. Corrosion resistance is superior. Due to low carbon content, the melting point
of wrought iron is very high which renders it unsuitable for casting
Application: steam and water pipes, making bars for stay bolts, engine bolts, rivets,
railway couplings etc...
Steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon which is produced either by basic oxygen steelmaking process
or by electric arc furnace.
Steels are broadly classified into
a) Carbon Steels
b) Alloy Steels
c) Tool Steels
a) Carbon steels: carbon steels are types of steel containing primarily iron and carbon. Other elements
present in small proportions are sulphur, phosphorous, manganese and magnesium. The following
types of
carbon steel are.
Mild steel
Composition: It has a carbon content of 0.05 to 0.3%. The balance is iron. The most popularly
used carbon
steel is mild steel.
Properties and characteristics: Tough, ductile and malleable. Good tensile strength, poor
resistance to
corrosion
Application: General-purpose engineering material like rivets, bolts, keys plain washer boiler
plate’s shaft,
camshafts and gear.
Medium carbon steel
Composition: It has a carbon content of 0.3 - 0.6% carbon. The remainder is iron content.
Properties and characteristics: Strong, hard and tough, with a high tensile strength, but less
ductile than
mild steel.
High carbon steel
Composition: It has a carbon content of 0.6 - 1.5%. it has an iron content of 96% to 97%
Properties and characteristics: Even harder than medium carbon steel, and more brittle. Can be heat
treated to make it harder and tougher
Application: Cutting tools, hammers, chisels, screw, punches, drills lathe tools, leaf springs and milling
cutter
STAINLESS STEEL
Compostion:alloy of iron and carbon with 16-26% chromium, 8-22% nickel and 8% magnesium
Properties and characteristics:Hard and tough, resists wear and corrosion
Application :Cutlery, kitchen equipment, surgical equipment, chemical handling equipments and cutlery Etc...
