New Cast Iron

Online Metals is pleased to announce that we are now carrying cast iron bars!

However, these aren’t just any iron bars, they are Cast Ductile Iron Dura-Bars and Grey Iron Dura-Bars.

Dura-Bars?

As the name implies, the grades of ductile iron are specialty grades designed for high ductility and more. Specifically, these grades offer high wear resistance and strength. This is especially true when compared to other ferrous iron grades. The tensile and yield strengths of the grades are comparable to 1040 steel in the “as-rolled” condition.

Grey Iron is non ductile but extremely durable and easy to machine.

If the material is in many ways comparable, you may wonder why use iron instead of steel? The answer is simple, lower cost. The cost of the cast iron bars themselves is affordable. Also, because they are easier to machine than steel, each individual part takes less time and effort to machine. Lastly, the excellent durability of this material mean your parts will last longer and with lower maintenance costs.

Grades

These Dura-Bars come in three grades: 80-55-06, 65-45-12, and G2.

80-55-06: This grade also offers excellent consistency and ease of machining. 80-55-06 can also be oil-quench hardened at 1600 F (885 C). This raises the exterior hardness of the bar to Rockwell C 50.

65-45-12: Excellent machinability, optimal impact resistance, and high fatigue resistance are the best attributes of this grade. This iron is a good replacement for low-carbon steel grades such as 1018, 1117, 1212, and 12L14. This iron is not designed for hardening operations.

G2: The Grey Iron grade, this iron is designed for applications requiring high wear resistance, vibration dampening, and good response to heat treatment. G2 can also be oil-quench hardened at 1600 F (885 C). This raises the exterior hardness of the bar to Rockwell C 50.

Continuous Cast

Part of what makes these Dura-Bars so exceptional is their casting process. This is a specialty process called “Continuous Cast.” A purpose designed crucible filled with molten iron has a die fitted to the bottom. The iron is pulled through the die to bring the material into shape. Dross, slag, and other impurities typical to cast iron float to the top. This prevents them from contaminating the bars.

This eliminates most problems inherent to cast iron. Slag, porosity, hard spots, shrinkage, and flashing are all absent from cast iron Dura-Bars.

Typical Applications

The various positive attributes of these cast iron grades make them popular across a wide range of industries and applications.

Automotive – gears

Fluid Power – cylinder blocks, gerotors, glands, manifolds, pistons, rotors, valves

Machinery – barrel rollers, bushings, chain sheave rollers, chuck bodies, die blocks, flywheels, gear racks, gears, housings, pile drivers, press rams, pulleys, rams, rotary tables, tie rod nuts

Misc – core boxes, dies, disamatic pouring rails, mill liners, pattern plates, plunger pin

Power Transmission – gears, pulleys

Pumps and Compressors – gears, housings, liners, pistols, rotary screws, rotors

Transportation – gears, motorcycle disc brakes, pulleys, rail spacers