Metals are of great demand not only in today’s world but ever since it was discovered in the first place. It is the different kinds of uses that create the huge demand for metals such as steel and iron. We all know what and where they are used.
However, there is a huge difference between steel and cast iron when they are compared together. Steel is much more expensive than iron although steel is created from impurities that have been removed from iron itself. So, you can imagine that without iron there is no steel.
Steel vs Cast Iron
The main difference between steel and cast iron is the carbon content in them. Iron is an element whereas steel is just a by-product of iron. Cast iron contains more than 2 percent of carbon whereas steel only has between 0.1-0.5 percent. You might know that more the content of carbon higher the iron will be malleable.
The presence of carbon in iron more than 4% makes cast-iron whereas steel will contain less than 2% of carbon. So, the main distinction between these two is the presence of carbon in them.
Comparison Table Between Steel and Cast Iron
| Parameters of Comparison | Steel | Cast Iron |
| Definition | Steel is called an alloy of iron. | Cast iron is also an alloy of iron. |
| Presence of Carbon | Steel has got fewer presence of carbon approximately less than 2%. | Cast iron has got more than 2% of carbon approximately more than 4%. |
| Properties | Ductile and malleable | The random motion of molecules. |
| Form of carbon | Iron carbide | Graphite or iron carbide or can be both. |
| Melting point | More than cast iron | Lower than steel. |
| Fluidity | No fluidity | Excellent fluidity |
What is Steel?
Steel is an alloy of iron. It has got a large number of uses in today’s world and is in huge demand too. You see in products like scissors, blades, and other utensils stainless steel is used. Steel’s carbon presence is very less approximately less than 2%.
Surprisingly, steel is made from the impurities or the slag that has been removed from iron itself. So, in other words, it means that without iron you cannot have steel. Steel is just an alloy whereas iron is an element that is found abundantly in most rocks, can be found even on meteoroids.
There is a process of making steel but iron is found naturally on Earth’s surface or in any other space. However, you will be surprised to know that cast iron is cheaper than steel with a very low melting point. As steel can be melted it can be turned into any shape or form and when it becomes cold there is no shrinkage.
This is how several products and utensils are made using steel by melting them and making them into several forms and shapes. The presence of carbon in steel is less as compared to cast iron. Stainless steel is just another grade of steel where metals like chromium are added to get the result.
Steel’s properties also vary from cast iron’s properties because steel is much milder and they are harder to cast. Steel also has a high viscosity meaning (a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow).