Cast iron is a casting material widely used in industries. It is a very old alloy, mainly made of carbon and iron. This property makes it quite resistant, but complicates its welding in case of breakage. Fortunately, thanks to certain tricks, this is still possible. So how do you go about welding cast iron?
Cold welding
Regardless of the method, welding cast iron is a process that requires some expertise. You can take advantage of the services of cold repair of cast iron in your factory or company by going to metalockengineering.com. But, before that, it is essential to prepare the cast iron beforehand. This will prevent defects in the welded part. This preparation involves cleaning the grease and oil from the inside. You should not forget to clean the rust and paint from the cast iron completely. You can do this by using a solvent or steam.
If you know how to do it, you can start by welding short sections of 30 mm maximum. It is advisable to do this by alternating the welding between the middle of the cracked section and the two ends. The recommended temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius. Also, you can reduce the tension by hammering the welded part after a weld section. The process of cold welding is easy and does not require advanced technology.
The technique of welding cast iron
Hot welding is a technique rarely used to repair metal alloys because of its fragility. However, it is an exceptional technique to perfect the finish of the cast iron after welding. Hot welding also gives the possibility to shape stones and metals so that they keep their original shape. This way, you can maintain the color of the cast iron after the process.
At the beginning of the heat welding process, it is vital to remove all parts that could be damaged, such as screws, joints and covers. In addition, it is advisable to keep these parts away from its location. Immediately afterwards, you can proceed to heat the cast iron to a high temperature. To do this, you can use a furnace, gas, coal or oxyacetylene flashlight.
When the temperature level during hot welding is progressive, you are sure to have an excellent finish. Thus, a progression of 100°C per hour would be ideal. In addition to this, the temperature must also be maintained at 700°C for a good cast iron weld.
The technique of welding cast iron with a welding machine
The welding of cast iron is possible with a welding machine. Neutral gases such as helium, carbon dioxide and argon can be used for this purpose. The simultaneous use of these gases makes it possible to obtain very good quality welds with a fast work. However, it is necessary to choose a welding machine with good features and functions.
In summary, several techniques are used to weld cast iron. Cold welding and hot welding are popular techniques with a distinct process. In addition, there are other approaches such as welding with a welding machine.