Cutting Characteristics of Gray Cast Iron
Gray cast iron is an alloy of carbon and iron which is formed by pouring molten material into molds. Due to its very high carbon content, it is highly susceptible to stress concentration and therefore prone to fracturing. It is, however, a very strong material and is commonly used in applications that require loads of high strength. As such, gray cast iron is often used for machine components such as gear boxes, flywheels and cylinder heads.
Cutting gray cast iron is often done with a dry cutting process. This is a form of machining that uses a cutting tool to remove material from a workpiece. Dry cutting is often used when working with gray cast iron because this process requires less cutting force than other forms of machining. Additionally, it produces a less brittle surface which helps to reduce the risk of fracturing. However, because this type of machining is typically done with an abrasive material, it can generate a great deal of dust and heat which can be dangerous to the operator and cause premature wear on the cutting tool.
Graphite iron castings are produced using a process similar to that used when working with gray cast iron. Generally speaking, these components are used in high strength applications and require a high level of machining accuracy. This process is often done with some form of wet machining. Wet machining is often preferred because it reduces the amount of dust and heat that is generated when cutting. Additionally, it produces a smoother finish and improves the overall accuracy of the machining process.
Working with gray cast iron can often be challenging. Due to the high content of carbon, the material is highly prone to fracturing and must be properly supported during machining. Additionally, because of the high carbon content, dry cutting processes can often produce a great deal of dust and heat which can be dangerous to the operator. Graphite iron castings are generally used in higher strength applications and must be machined with a high level of accuracy. It is important that the machining process is done with a wet cutting process in order to reduce the amount of dust and heat generated and improve the overall accuracy of the cutting operation.
