What is the difference between wrought iron and cast iron?

mibmob

Wrought iron has been worked with tools and cast iron has been put in a mould. Mar 27 04, 1:12 PM

sequoianoir

Wrought iron has a very very small carbon content. It is tough, malleable, ductile and can be easily welded. Cast iron has 2% to 3.5% carbon, it is strong under compression but brittle and weak under tension. Mar 27 04, 1:20 PM

Brainyblonde

Wrought iron was traditionally smelted at a relatively low temperature in the solid state to produce a spongey mass of metal called a bloom from which the impurities were driven off as liquid slag by hammering, hence the term "wrought" ie "worked" iron. Wrought iron is very pure, with a carbon content of less than 1%, which makes it resistant to corrosion, strong in tension and malleable. By comparison, cast iron, was smelted at much higher temperatures in the liquid state, and so became saturated with carbon from the furnace fuel, up to about 5%. It was then poured out (ie cast) into a mould to produce blocks traditionally known as pigs hence the name "pig iron". The high carbon content makes cast iron very rigid in compression, but weak and brittle in tension, even when red hot, so it cannot be forged or rolled. http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/research/glossary/iron.html Mar 27 04, 1:44 PM