Many people assume that wrought iron and cast iron are interchangeable terms for early ironwork, or antique iron working. However, wrought iron and cast iron, although sharing the same mental material, are two different methods of working with iron. Continue reading to learn the basic differences between wrought iron and cast iron, as well as, how to sell your left over scrap iron for instant cash.

Wrought Versus Cast

Here are the basics: cast iron is melted, transferred to a custom mold, then left to cool and solidify. Wrought-iron, on the other hand, is heated, worked, and modified, and then allowed to cool and harden. For more details in their differences, take a look at the differences below.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is a crude alloy that is defined by its carbon content. Specifically, wrought iron is any iron that retains less than 0.8% carbon content. When the carbon content reaches 2.1%, it is cast iron. If it reaches beyond 4% carbon content, no longer cast iron, but something else. The top benefits of wrought iron include its toughness, malleability, ductility, corrosion-resistance, and ease of welding. It is a fact that the term “wrought” is derived from the past participle of the word “worked.” This is one-way you can remember the primary difference between wrought-iron mythology and cast iron methodology.

Cast Iron

The term “cast” in “cast iron” is meant to be a generic moniker for a long list of ambiguous iron alloys. You see, cast iron is a metal alloy, meaning it is not pure iron. Along with iron, it contains 2% to 4% carbon, along with smaller quantities of manganese and silicone. As mentioned, when the carbon content in metal exceeds 2.0 %, it is officially cast iron. It is even common to find certain metal impurities, such as sulfur or phosphorus, but in very small amounts.

Comparing the Two

When comparing cast iron to wrought iron, cast iron is harder, yet more brittle. It is also less pliable, meeting it is not possible to bend, stretch, or form. Although cast-iron is hard, it has low tensile strength, meaning it will break before it ever bends. On the other hand, cast-iron has notable compression strength. Compared to cast-iron, wrought iron is more ductile, so it’s softer and easily malleable. It can also be reheated over and over without losing any strength. In fact, it gets stronger every time it’s worked. It can also be formed into various shapes.

Where to Sell Left Over Iron and Scrap Metal in Indianapolis

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell scrap metal in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for all metal and metal commodities, including sheet metal, piping, beams, vehicles, car parts, appliances, construction equipment, farming equipment, and much more! Collect all the scrap metal you can, and then sell it to us for the highest profit in town! Request a free estimate or information, today.