Iron & Steel Casting Materials Overview
Choose the Right Material for Your OEM Casting Project
At YBMETAL, we specialize in producing high-performance gray iron, ductile iron, and cast steel components with precision CNC machining. This page helps you compare their technical properties, cost-effectiveness, and application suitability — so you can choose the ideal casting material for your design.
Why Material Choice Matters in Casting
Each casting material has distinct mechanical and performance traits. Selecting the wrong metal can lead to cracking, premature wear, or overengineering. YBMETAL offers expert guidance to help you balance cost, performance, and manufacturability from the start.
Casting Methods
Gray Iron
Best for parts where cost-efficiency, damping, and machinability are top priorities. Not suitable for impact or pressure.
- ✅ Excellent for: brake drums, housings, flanges, exhaust manifolds
- ✅ Not suitable for: dynamic loads, weld repairs, pressurized systems
Ductile Iron
Best for components needing high strength, moderate pressure resistance, and some ductility, without the cost of steel.
- ✅ Excellent for: gearbox housings, suspension arms, valve bodies
- ✅ Not suitable for: high-impact or welded structures
Cast Steelg
Best for impact-prone, welded, or high-stress parts. Offers excellent mechanical strength and post-processing options.
- ✅ Excellent for: mining equipment, frames, couplers, pressure valves
- ✅ Not suitable for: low-cost, high-volume parts
Comparison of Gray Iron, Ductile Iron, and Cast Steel
| Property | Gray Iron | Ductile Iron | Cast Steel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Low–moderate | High | Very high |
| Ductility | Brittle | Excellent | Excellent |
| Impact Resistance | Poor | Good | Excellent |
| Vibration Damping | Excellent | Moderate | Low |
| Machinability | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
| Pressure Tightness | Poor (porous) | Moderate | Excellent |
| Weldability | Not weldable | Limited | Fully weldable |
| Weight Range | 2–500 kg | 5–8,000 kg | 5–3,000 kg |
| Typical Use | Static housings, covers | Load-bearing, automotive | High-load, impact components |
| Cost | Low | Moderate | High |
Ductile Iron Foundry China
YBMETAL Material Consultation
Not sure which material is right for your casting project? YBMETAL offers:
- Engineering support & DFM
- Mechanical requirement review
- Heat treatment and machining considerations
- Certification and compliance (PPAP, CMM, material certs)