Cast iron is generally manufactured in two ways: gray cast iron and ductile iron.
1. Gray Cast Iron: Gray cast iron is a casting material with a high carbon content. It offers high hardness and wear resistance, making it one of the earliest types of cast iron to gain widespread use.
2. Ductile Iron: Ductile iron is a type of cast iron composed of iron, ferrite, and ductile graphite. Ductile iron has a lower carbon content than gray cast iron, but exhibits superior physical properties such as strength and plasticity. Ductile iron is suitable for manufacturing high-strength parts such as automotive engines, hydraulic cylinders, and mining machinery.