Both cast iron and forged steel fittings are used in a variety of industrial and residential applications. These fittings are used to connect pipes in buildings, including toilet fixtures, showers, and drainage pipes. If you are looking to purchase some fittings for a particular application, you will want to find out which type is better suited for your needs.

What are Cast Iron Fittings?

Cast iron is a combination of iron and carbon. Iron also contains other metals like silicon, phosphorus, and manganese. During the manufacturing process, the metal is first melted and poured into molds to create the desired shapes. Casting produces durable fittings, but they are more resistant to rust than forged pieces. Apart from that, they are also less resistant to fatigue, and they will require replacement sooner. Statistics indicated that pipeline corrosion alone costs the United States over $9 billion each year. This is why it might be more advisable to choose forged steel pieces.

How are Forged Fittings Made?

Forging involves the use of dies, temperature, and compressive forces to shape metal into the required shapes. Once the metal has been forged, it is usually heat treated or coated. If additional details are required, the metal can be machined further. There are several classifications of forging, and each one uses a different type of die. The classifications also differ in terms of the temperature used.

Forging Produces Stronger Parts than Casting

One of the key reasons why people choose forged pieces is that forging provides a stronger end product. Research shows that forged pieces have a 26% higher tensile strength than the same cast parts. Apart from that, it has also been shown that forged fittings have a 37% higher fatigue strength. This enables them to have a longer lifespan. On the other hand, cast iron only displays a fraction of the yield strength of forged steel. This means that forged steel can handle a heavier load before deforming.

This is why a carbon steel pipe fitting is quite strong. They are made from forged carbon steel material. The material is first heated to molten temperatures then mixed with the dies before it’s machined into a carbon steel pipe fitting.

Research shows that forging is generally better than casting for several reasons. For instance, forged parts have better strength, more consistency, and a longer lifespan. Casting is only preferable when the parts in question are too large to forge.

Got questions? Give us a call at Lynco Flange & Fitting and our knowledgeable staff will be happy to help!