Grey cast iron
Low wear and high vibration damping
Cast iron with lamellar graphite, also known as grey cast iron (GG), is one of the most commonly used types of cast iron. The name is derived from the characteristic structure of the graphite particles in the metal, which are in the form of lamellar flakes. This structure has a decisive influence on the mechanical and physical properties of the material.
Cast iron with lamellar graphite is easy to harden and easy to machine. Grey cast iron is characterised by above-average wear resistance and insensitivity to wall thickness, excellent damping properties and high strength without edge hardness and is impressive in terms of both form and function.
Advantages of cast iron with lamellar graphite
The properties of grey cast iron speak for the material.
- Excellent damping properties
The lamellar structure of the graphite helps to effectively dampen vibrations and oscillations. This makes grey cast iron particularly suitable for use in machine bedding and engine blocks. - Good castability
The molten iron is easy to cast and enables the production of complex moulds with high dimensional accuracy.
- High compressive strength
Cast iron with lamellar graphite has a high compressive strength. This makes grey cast iron ideal for applications where strength, stability and high compressive loads are required. - Corrosion resistance
The corrosion resistance of grey cast iron is better than many types of steel, making it suitable for use in harsh environments.
Grey cast iron materials
Abbreviation and material number
At the Behringer iron foundry, we offer you various materials and qualities as cast iron with lamellar graphite. You can find the specifications in the material table below and further details in the downloadable data sheet.
| Current abbreviation according to DIN EN 1561 | Abbreviation old according to DIN 1691 | Material number according to DIN EN 1561 | Material number according to DIN EN 1561:1997 | Material number before 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN-GJL-200 | GG-20 | 5.1300 | EN-JL-1030 | 0.6020 |
| EN-GJL-250 | GG-25 | 5.1301 | EN-JL-1040 | 0.6025 |
| EN-GJL-300 | GG-30 | 5.1302 | EN-JL-1050 | 0.6030 |
Grey cast iron or lamellar graphite cast iron is an iron material. It has a high proportion of graphite carbons, which are present in the form of lamellae, hence the name cast iron with lamellar graphite. In cast iron, these lamellae form a network. Although this reduces the ductility of the material, it gives the grey cast iron a higher wear resistance. The lamellae also interrupt the structure and act as a damper for vibration energy. This structure in grey cast iron makes a significant contribution to reducing vibrations.
The material designations for grey cast iron and ductile cast iron can be found in the standards DIN EN 1561 and DIN EN 1563.
Grey cast iron is designated with the abbreviation GJL. The letters have the following meaning:
G = Cast material
J = Iron
L = Flake graphite
Spheroidal graphite cast iron is labelled with the abbreviation GJS. The abbreviation stands for: Cast material (G) made of iron (Iron, J) with spheroidal graphite (S).
Grey cast iron is ideal for applications that require good vibration damping and noise reduction, such as machine foundations and engine blocks. It is often used in gearbox housings and brake discs, where good machinability and cost efficiency are important. Thanks to its fluidity, grey cast iron is also ideal for complex moulds with thin walls. In applications where fracture behaviour and high compressive stress are relevant, grey cast iron is also a preferred choice.
Grey cast iron offers better damping properties and easier machinability compared to nodular cast iron. It is also cheaper to produce and easier to cast, especially for complex shapes and thin wall thicknesses. These advantages make grey cast iron ideal for applications where vibration damping, cost reduction and precision machining are required.
Grey cast iron has good castability and excellent vibration damping properties. This makes it particularly suitable for applications such as engine blocks, cylinder heads, gearbox housings and machine frames. It is cheaper and easier to machine. The strength and ductility of grey cast iron are lower compared to nodular cast iron.
The Behringer iron foundry also supplies ready-to-install parts made of grey cast iron. These can be installed directly in your machines and systems without further processing.
In order to deliver the cast products to you ready for installation, you can select various additional processing and service options.
After fettling, your castings can be heat-treated in an annealing furnace . We then offer you the processing of the cast components on our modern CNC machining centres. The cast parts can also be primed or painted.
These comprehensive services ensure that your cast iron parts can be installed in their intended applications immediately after delivery. Additional processing steps are not required. This saves time and costs and increases the efficiency of your production.