I attended the seminar Ductile Iron: A Steel Alternative held by Bob O'Rourke from Dura-Bar at Fluid Power Conference & Expo in Milwaukee.

The seminar consisted of the comparisons between ductile iron and steel - physical properties, cost and ability to machine.

The main difference between ductile iron and steel is not strength or durability; it is not cost but the time savings involved in machining gears, manifolds, etc.

When evaluating the cost of your manufacturing process, do you consider different materials that could help save money in machining but not compromise the integrity of your products?

This session is an example of how our Expo provides information to designers and technicians to give them the edge in their markets. Usage of the best possible material for a given application helps to keep fluid power the right design choice.

To my experience in manifold machining cost.
Up to 3000 PSI , use Aluminum 2024 T6 the most expensive
...and 6061 T6 the less expensive and most popular.
Up to 5000 PSI , use Spheroidal Cast Iron.

HW ABOUT USE OF CONTINUED CASTED BARS ? IS IT SAME AS SPHEROIDICAL CAST IRON ?

quote:

KANWALJIT SINGH

...I'd recommend contacting Bob about your question. Here is his post-presentation from Milwaukee:

http://www.fluidpowerexpo.com/session-details.asp?id=124