On the Manufacture of Cast-Steel, by Dr. Karsten | Scientific American

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(Concluded from page 187.) Although in the case of pig iron it is necessary to bring it into a liquid state, in order to convert the gray and soft variety into that which is white and hard, or, on the contrary the former into the latter by rapid or slow cooling of the metal, in the case of iron with a smaller per centage of carbon or steel, mere rapid or slow cooling, without any previous alteration of the state ot aggregation, is sufficient to convert the darker colored soft steel, into the whiter hard steel, and the reverse. Judging from analogy, therefore, it is highly probable that the changes in the state of combination of the carbon and iron take place in the hardening and softening of steel, corresponding to the different states of combination of this element in gray and white iron, although these differences in the state of combination have not yet been proved by chemical evidence to exist in the case of steel as they have in raw iron. However, the hard and soft steels have never been regarded as special varieties, and there is no greater reason for regarding white and gray pig iron as special varieties, because the differences in color, hardness, and tenacity are owing solely to the respective states of combination determined by conditions of temperature, and not to any alteration in the combining proportions. If however, gray and white iron are regarded as special varieties, in the same manner as graphite and diamond, it must not be forgotten that a perfectly analogous relation exists between hard and soft steels, which are not regarded as special varieties. In the processes employed for decarbonizing pig iron and converting it into steel, it has not hitherto been possible to obtain a product of >erfectly homogeneous nature. It is always tecessary to sort the steel, in order to sepa-ate the harder parts containing more carbon rom the softer, and these again from the iteel-like iron. This absence ot homogeneity n the product, resulting from the imperfection )f the processes, led to an attempt to give the iteel great uniformity of texture by melting. The so called cast steel is really a much more lomogeneous and tnistwerthywadaefLjihaii ;he raw steel, or that obtained by cementa-;ion, although its characters likewise depend lpon the proper and careful selection of the naterial from which it is made. In conse-juenca ot the fact, that steel may be prepared ay lusion, which, together with a large per ;entage of carbon and consequent hardness, possesses homogeneity whatever may be the legree of hardness desired, cast steel has acquired such a well-merited reputation, that it is now always employed for articles in which great hardness is indispensable. However perfect the process for making cast-steel may appear to be, it is still open to the disadvantage, that the selection ot the suitable material must be entrusted to the judgment of the workman, and consequently that however homogeneous the product, the per-oentage of carbon, the hardness and solidity of the steel cannot be determined with precision beforehand. Such imperfections in the practice of metallurgical operations are in every case unavoidable, when determinations of weight must be replaced by the practised eye of the woikman. The per centage of carbon in the material employed in making cast-steel—cementation-steel—is different in every part of the section of the bars, so that the average per centage of carbon in the charge of a crucible and the product of the casting cannot be determined with precision. Although the hardness of the English and good German cast-steel correspond tolerably well with that which is required, this result is solely attributable to the pertect acquaintance ot the workmen with their materials, and their care-iul selection of it for this practical purpose.— There would be no uncertainty as to the result, if we possessed a material applicable to the preparation of cast-steel, in which the per centage of carbon could be calculated. The white pig iron made from pure spathic and brown iron ores free from disseminated copper pyrites, and the per centage of carbon in which may, without any considerable error, be assumed as 5'6, is a material of this description. The per centage of carbon in the best kinds of Swedish bar iron, and the iron vhich is made in Germany trom the pure pathic and brown iron ores, may very safely >e assumed as 0'25 on the average. The ibove pig iron and this bar iron are the purest jinds known, containing only traces of silicon, :rom which likewise the cementation steel jsedfor making cast steel is never free. Both these kinds of iron are therefore of such a nature as to enable the operator to determine beforehand with precision the per centage of arbon in a crucible-charge, and to produce cast-steel of any desired degree of hardness by means of a simple calculation of the requisite proportion of (he two kinds of raw material. If the per centage of carbon in the melted product obtained in this way, and the characters dependent upon that per centage, should be found to agree perfectly with calculation—a question to be determined only by experiments on a large scale—it might be expected that the production of cast steel from these materials would constitute a new phase ot this branch of industry in Germany; for besides the trustworthiness of the operation, by which cast-steel could be made of any desired degree ot hardness and tenacity, it possesses economical advantages in the cheapness of the raw material. But the production of cast-steel by melting together white iron and pure bar iron appeared to be liable to an objection far greater than that founded upon the impurity of the raw material, and this arose from the doubt as to whether the product of the fusion would he homogeneous. However, the question ot practicability could only be decided by direct experiment. Such experiments were made in the years and . The melting crucibles employed were of such capacity, that from 30 to 35 lbs. could be melted at a time. The melted metal was as usual run off into cast-iron moulds. The following is a brief statement ot the results obtained in a great number of meltings, and the subsequent treatment of the cast-steel:— 1. In the selection ot the pig iron, it is of great importance to employ such as presents pertect lamellar structure, and not such as is partly fibrous or compact. The use of lamellar iron is necessary, and not only in or- jier—ikafr—ihis-prsi—ccrrtage of~TrI)0n hi the charge may be calculated with accuracy, which cannot be done with fibrous or compact iron in which the per centage of carbon varies greatly, but likewise and especially because the lamellar iron exercises the greatest solvent action upon the bar iron, so that even a comparatively much larger quantity of these kinds is but an imperfect substitute for the lamellar iron. Consequently good cast-steel cannot be produced in this way without lamellar pig iron. 2. The extremely high temperature which bar iron requires for fusion appeared to render it necessary that it should be added to the charge in small fragments. On this account the first fusions were made with bar iron, which Lad been rolled into moderately thick sheets and then cut into pieces. However, it was subsequently ascertained that the solution of the bar iron in the liquid pig iron takes place without any difficulty, and that the product is equally good when thick pieces are used, so that finally masses of a cubic inch in dimension were employed. By this means the expense of cutting the bar iron is obviated ; at the same time the iron is less oxidized, and less room is taken up in the crucible, than when it is in small fragments. 3. In order to produce a homogeneous cast-steel, the highest possible temperature is necessary for the /usion. Consequently very infusible crucibles, which are not liable to crack, are a much greater desideratum in the production of cast-steel from pig and bar iron, than even in the melting of steel itself. Of course the greater the number of meltings which can be made in one crucible, the greater is the economical advantage gained. 4. The melted metal must be run off into the cast-iron moulds as rapidly as possible, in order that the whole mass may cool uniformly. At the same time care must be taken that none of the slag is allowed to pass from the crucible into the moulds, for there is not time for the slag to separate from the metal ; it solidifies in the midst ot the steel and renders the casting defective, and causes the bar to rend in rolling. This may be most a vanfageously; obviated by taking the cover from the crucible while it is still in the furnace, and skimming off the slag with a ladle-shaped iron. The small quantity which then remains may easily be kept back in the ordinary way during the casting. 5. The cast-steel, when allowed to cool slowly in the crucible, loses all coherence, and breaks down under the hammer or rollers. The cause of this appears to lie in the formation of carburets of iron, which do not remain combined with the rest of the steel containing less carbon. 6. The cast bars must, after they have cooled, be freed from all adhering granules of metal by means of a chisel. If this is neglected, the edges of the bars become broken in rolling. 7. In heating the clexned bars for. the purpose of further working, a bright red heat must be employed. This cannot be effected in a satisfactory manner before a blast, because the temperature is not sufficiently uniform, and a uniform heat is indispensably necessary for the favorable result of the rolling or hammering. This can only be effected in a well constructed reverberatory furnace, and most advantageously in one fed with gas, a slight excess of which is present. 8. It; is preferable to roll the heated Bars rather than to hammer them; but if a hammer is used it must be ot considerable weight. 9. The cast bars presented a perfectly homogeneous appearance, even after rolling.— The bars were first rolled out) square to a length of 4 feet, and then, after reheating brought into the desired form. They admitted of being rolled into the thinnest sheets without cracking at the edges. 10. Even in making soft steel, for which purpose the crucible was charged with 25 lbs. of bar iron, and 2 lbs. of pig iron, a perfect solution ot the bar iron was effected by means of a strong heat. The product was a homogeneous steel, although, according to calculation, it could not contain more than 0'6 per cent ot carbon. The best, hardest and most tenacious steel was obtained by fusing mixtures in which the calculated per centage of carbon was 1'5 arJLJ _FrjMsjjurri0se~thfi_crucible was charged withj.24 or 25 lbs. of bar iron and 8 lbs. of pig iron. 11. The cast-steel, even that which is soft, and in which the per centage of carbon is only 06, differs essentially from the raw or melted steel from the circumstance that it cannot be welded without great difficulty. With a higher per centage ot carbon it can only be welded under a coating of borax. With a per centage ot T25, it can no longer be welded at all. Although, on the one hand, this behavior of the cast-steel obtained in this way indicates its homogeneity, still, it is a defect, one indeed which is likewise possessed by the English cast-steel in a somewhat less degree. 12. The cast steel bears only low tempering heat, and acquires a very high degree of hardness, although at the cost of its tenacity. The proper mode of tempering it still remains to be ascertained. The steel may be used for making the finest kinds of cutlery for files and chisels. For all purposes in which it is submitted to sudden and violent blows, it has proved destitute of the requisite tenacity. While very hard, it possesses considerable brittleness. 14. The last mentioned character of the steel affords a ground for doubting its certainly apparent homogeneity, and this conjecture is confirmed by the fact, that its tenacity and capability of being welded are considerably increased by remelting. If, however, it should prove to be impossible to produce a good cast-steel in one melting, the economical advantages of this process would probably be altogether lost.

Cast steel vs Carbon steel

Carbon steel and cast steel are two of the more common alloys used by steel casting companies. Many clients or customers often asked us: What is the difference between cast steel vs cast steel? Which one is better? Actually, there is no one that is better, but which one is more suitable for your applications.

What are Carbon Steel and Cast steel?

Cast steel usually refers to normal carbon steel and alloy steel. Or called steel casting with carbon content lower than 2%.In all steel types of, there are various steel casting grades that determine specific properties of the steel. It can help determine their advantages or disadvantages in certain processes.

Cast Steel

Cast steel, then, is a type of carbon steel, often containing a carbon content anywhere from 0.1-0.5% carbon. This is a specific alloy that is frequently used, and is known for its impact resistance features. Carbon and cast steels are especially known for standing out when it comes to withstanding frequent or sudden impact, but not deforming, breaking, or bending.

Cast steel is known for its ability to withstand these types of high stresses and strain forces. In fact, this impact resistance is one of the major benefits of using cast steel compared to cast iron. The combination of strength and ductility in steel makes it a staple in mechanical and structural applications. It is capable of bearing heavy loads. This is one of the major reasons why steel is the most commonly used metal in the world.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is also known for being resistant to corrosion, especially when protective measures are used through the course of regular maintenance. It is also resistant to wear and tear, helping increase shelf life and lead to a durable cast. Typically, the amount of carbon content in any carbon steel or cast steel will determine the hardness of the material, with grades ranging from low, standard, to high-carbon steels.

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The difference between cast steel VS carbon steel:

1. Different in nature

Cast steel: Cast steel is a kind of casting alloy. Iron and carbon are the main elements. The carbon content is between 0-2%.
Carbon steel: Carbon steel is an iron-carbon alloy with a carbon content of 0.% to 2.11%. Generally, it also contains a small amount of silicon, manganese, sulfur, and phosphorus.

2. Different features

Cast steel: 304, 316 cast steel is currently the most widely used stainless steel. Both are austenitic cast steel, non-magnetic or weakly magnetic. The 430, 403, and 410 are austenitic-ferritic stainless steels with magnetic properties.
Carbon steel: Generally, the higher the carbon content of carbon steel, the greater the hardness and the higher the strength. But the plasticity is lower.

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3. Different classification

Cast steel:

According to the characteristics of use:
1) Cast tool steel. Cast tool steel can be divided into casting tool steel and casting mold steel.

2) Casting special steel. It can be divided into cast stainless steel, cast heat-resistant steel, cast wear-resistant steel, cast nickel-based alloy.

3) Cast steel for engineering and structure. It can be divided into cast carbon structural steel and cast alloy structural steel.

4) Cast alloy steel. It can be divided into cast low alloy steel, cast medium alloy steel and cast high alloy steel.

Carbon steel:

According to purpose, carbon steel can be divided into carbon structural steel, carbon tool steel, and free-cutting structural steel.

Carbon structural steel is divided into engineering construction steel and machine manufacturing structural steel.

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