Cast iron versus steel

Short answer

Cast iron (2-4.5% C) is hard, brittle, non-malleable, with low melting point and poor weldability, suited for casting. Mild steel (<0.25% C) is tough, ductile, strong, weldable, used for reinforcement and structures.

Differentiate between cast iron and steel (mild steel).

Point	Cast iron	Steel (mild steel)
Carbon content	2-4.5%	0.05-0.25% (mild steel), below 2%
Nature	Hard, brittle	Tough, ductile
Tensile strength	Low (150-300 MPa)	High (400-550 MPa)
Compressive strength	High	High
Malleability/ductility	Not malleable or ductile	Malleable and ductile
Melting point	Lower (1150-1300 C)	Higher (1400-1500 C)
Forging/rolling	Cannot be forged or rolled; only cast	Can be forged, rolled and drawn
Weldability	Poor	Good
Shock/vibration	Poor under impact; absorbs vibration	Resists shock
Corrosion	More resistant	Rusts more easily
Use	Pipes, columns, manhole covers, machine beds	Reinforcement, beams, frames, bridges

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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