Contents of Cast Iron:
Cast Iron or CI is prepared form melting pig iron in cupola furnace or in electric furnace. This furnace offers better quality.
CI contains various elements in addition to Fe. The C content of CI is more than 2 percent. Si varies in between 0.5 to 3.0%. It is very significant since it controls the form of Carbon in CI. S content in CI varies in between 0.06 to 0.12% and is mostly present as FeS that tends to melt at comparatively low temperature causing hot shortness. Mn inhibits formation of FeS.
Even if P increases fluidity of CI - a property useful for pouring - this has to be controlled to 0.1 to 0.3% since it reduces toughness. P is there in the form of FeP.
Mn in CI varies from 0.1 to 1.0% throughout such a minute Mn doesn't affect properties of CI it certainly assists enhances upon hot shortness vvia taking care of S.
Various other alloying elements as like: Nickel, Cr, Mo, Mg, Copper and V may be added to CI to acquire some desirable properties.