Grey iron castings are one of the oldest and most widely deployed materials for making castings. It exhibits excellent foundry qualities, and with the way production technology is improving with time, it is able to achieve appropriate utility properties reflected in the improved technical levels and functional reliability of castings. But why is grey cast iron still relevant in today’s industry world? Read on…

Safety:

Buildings are susceptible to fire accidents with PVC pipes requiring full replacement in the case of fire. The reason is plastic can provide little to no protection when subjected to heat. Cast Iron pipes, comparatively, are fire-resistant. Another issue is that when plastic burns, it emits a lot of fumes that could pose breathing trouble for you and those around you in the vicinity.

Durability & Longevity:

Cast Iron characterizes improved longevity and durability. Iron is dense by nature and does not crack or deform easily when handled roughly as evident in construction sites. The plumbing system has been made of cast iron successfully over the years. In fact, cast iron has been used in making municipal water and sewer systems spanning thousands of miles owing to its robust construction and durability.

Cost: 

Although PVC products can be comparatively cheaper, there can be extra costs involved in the pipe installation including expansion joints and hanger spaces. Besides, repair of cast iron sewer pipe is not that frequent, and this means you can afford to invest the money in the maintenance and order of other things.

Noise Factor:

Another major issue involving PVC pipes is the noise that comes out of them comparatively more pronounced than with the likes of cast iron products. The reason for the reduced noise impact of cast iron pipes is due to their density and thickness. This is not seen in the case of a PVC where you’ll be able to hear the sound of the gushing water through the walls every single time when you run the faucet or turn on a shower. This can be annoying if you’ve planned to stay in such an environment for an extended time period.

Environmental concerns:

If reducing environmental footprint is one of the objectives, cast iron could be the default choice. PVC pipes are made of oil-based material products, and the repair of PVC pipes normally flushes the material into the garbage. On the other hand, cast iron pipes can be recycled from scrap iron materials.

Excessive vibration and noise are involved with equipment employed in the extraction, mining, mineral processing and engineering equipment. High vibration results in the degradation of structural components, consequently leading to loss of money and productivity.

Grey iron can easily withstand the condition where a machine component oscillates back and forth between colder and warmer temperatures, also known as ‘thermal cycling well’. Whilst thermal cycling can produce premature failure and stress in certain metal casting types, grey iron can withstand the strain created due to thermal cycling exceedingly well and don’t stress as much as the other types.

VR Foundries is one of the leading casting companies in Coimbatore and casting manufacturers in Coimbatore known for the manufacture of SG iron castings and several other different casting types.