Cast Iron vs Ductile Iron???

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I am looking at building a metal fence around my property and I've come across Cast Iron fence components and Ductile Iron components.  Can anyone explain the differences and which one would be easier to weld without having to use special wire or processes.  I was kind of hoping ductile iron will behave like mild steel.  ThanksMichael
Reply:i've never welded ductile..i have however made countless valve seats for aluminum heads out of it and it machines like cast iron..only tougher......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:Ductile is one of the casts, more specifically 'nodular' I'm thinking. In talking terms cast can be either a generic term or the name of a group. In this case I guess cast should be used as the 'group' and nodular or ductile is the specific material. There is ductile iron association out there somewhere that deals in particular with the making of, welding of and construction with ductile pipe. Forget their name off hand. It seems plenty weldable enough tho very application dependant as usual. Don't want to get any battles started over blanket statements.For specific applications there are methods and procedures to follow as always. Many miles of huge ductile pipe are in the ground and all welded. For fencing components I don't see where there's a lot to worry over other than don't do anything that will damage the component and still not accomplish the task. I've got a few old wore out small ripper shanks made from ductile. From the Manufacturer they come with all kinds of warnings about "do not weld" and so-on for warranty purposes. And that's all true. Any things that are subjected to such tremendous forces could be seriously damaged by welding. But for general purposes, it welds up so-so. If you've got a solid piece of ductile ornament and thin box tubing I'd imagine the tubing would fail first if put to a test.I'd better go check my ductile/nodular referrence to make sure.
Reply:Here we go. I'm making big deal out of an ornament, eh??  http://www.ductile.org/didata/download.htm
Reply:Thanks Sandy,Interesting read!!!  Basically good ole Stick Welding with a NI-FE 44 rod is probably the best.  It really depends on the kind of ductile iron and the microscopic structure of the carbides within the metal.  Probably a little more information than I needed but it is definately a good read. Unless the manufacturer can provide that information I am probably better off with plain mild steel.