cast iron vs. cast steel......

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How can I tell the difference between to 2? I try to stay clear of cast just because of the headache and people do not want to pay for the price of nickel rods. But I am reworking an old fireplace for a guy who wants to convert it to use gas. Which menas I need to weld a box around the bottom large enough to hold the gas unit. The box will be of HRS. Thanks
Reply:hit it with a grinder somewhere..cast iron will have deep red sparks..bring a regular piece of steel with you and compare colors of sparks.. cast steel will be the same as reg steel..but if its a stove chances are that its cast iron......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Here is a sheet that might be useful also.http://www.ohiosteel.org/homepage/Sp...cast%20iron%22Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:When you weld it and it cracks in the HAZ of the cast, you'll know it's cast iron.  Can't remember the numbers, but cast iron has ton's of carbon, like 1.5%, compared to cast steel which may be 0.30%.  In general, carbon over 0.30%, as in 1030 steel, is the cutoff where you begin to need preheat and postheat to slow down the cooling rate of the weldment in order to minimize the formation of hard brittle martensite in the weld HAZ.
Reply:I know the cracking of cast iron, but do not want to weld it to find out. I am going to stitch it with Cronatron's cast rod. Once I get customers approval. 65.00 per lb. It has certanium in it. it truly is awesome rod.
Reply:Yep, I figured you knew about cast iron welding from your comment on nickel rod.  Was kidding you while pointing out the diff. to some who maybe haven't run into this.Now, tell us more about the certanium.  I thought they only produced research quantities up at Los Alamos National Lab.
Reply:Originally Posted by pulserYep, I figured you knew about cast iron welding from your comment on nickel rod.  Was kidding you while pointing out the diff. to some who maybe haven't run into this.Now, tell us more about the certanium.  I thought they only produced research quantities up at Los Alamos National Lab.