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CAST-IRON






        LOGIQ













        As can be construed from its name, cast iron
        is intended for castings. Machining cast iron
        parts involves removal of non-uniform and                                                                                                             For example, machinability of Ni-resist cast iron can be
        variable stock  - for example sand inclusions,                                                                                                        compared with grey cast iron; however, the required
        casting skin, blowholes, hot tears and other                                                                                                          cutting geometry seems more suitable for austenitic
        casting defects, which affects cutting tools.                                                                                                         stainless steel. Workpieces from austenitic ductile iron
        From a machining point of view, the higher                                                                                                            (ADI) are delivered in different material conditions and
        graphite content also has a disadvantage: it                                                                                                          hardness level that impact on selecting right cutting
        accelerates abrasion wear. This means that the                                                                                                        tools. Machinability of ADI before hardening is sufficient
        cutting tools must have good wear resistance                                                                                                          and is similar to cutting high-alloy steel. Nevertheless, if
        to ensure high productivity. It is also worth                                                                                                         this cast iron is machined in a high hardness condition,
        noting that the term “cast iron" may in fact                                                                                                          only the tools intended for the ISO H application group
        refer to different types of ferrous alloy, for                                                                                                        will meet the customer's expectations.
        which machinability can vary significantly.
        The latter is often neglected, which can lead                                                                                                         The situation with cast iron of high hardness in ISO
        to wrong choice of cutting tools and incorrect                                                                                                        H group is challenging. Machining cast iron with a
        definition of cutting data.                                                                                                                           hardness of HB 400…440 is usually less of a problem
                                                                                                                                                              for manufacturers. However, the picture changes
        There are several types of cast iron. Grey, nodular and                                                                                               radically when dealing with hard abrasion-resistant
        malleable cast iron form the application group K (red                                                                                                 high-chrome cast iron. The general hardness may
        identification color) in accordance with the ISO 513                                                                                                  be around HRC 52…54 but in the thin-wall areas of
        Standard classification. Hardened and chilled cast                                                                                                    a machined part, the hardness can reach HRC 60
        iron relate to group H (grey identification color). These                                                                                             and even more. In combination with the high chrome
        specifications offer clear guidelines  for manufacturers                                                                                              content,  it makes machining extremely difficult and
        regarding the application of cutting tools -  correct tool                                                                                            significantly diminishes tool life.
        material, cutting geometry and cutting data selection.


        Usually, machining ISO K cast iron is not a problem for
        manufacturers. Ferritic grey cast iron, for example, is
        an easy-to-cut material.  However, machining ISO H
        cast iron is more difficult. Although similar to conditions
        for machining hard steels,  the material’s specific
        features demand appropriate solutions from cutting
        tool producers. In addition, some types of cast iron
        demonstrate a certain duality in their machinability,
        emphasizing the broadness and heterogeneity  of
        the definition "cast iron".

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