If you’re not familiar with the different kinds of industrial wheels, it’s easy to confuse forged steel with cast iron. However, these two products are very different from one another. Forged steel is generally stronger and more durable, and it performs well in high temperature settings. Understanding these differences can help you make the right decision for your needs.
Differences between Forged Steel and Cast Iron
Forged steel is manufactured in a hot forging operation, or a metal shaping process in which a malleable metal part is shaped using processes such as hammering, pressing or upsetting. By hardening the metal at such extreme temperatures, you get optimal yield strength, low hardness and high ductility. This is unique from cold forging, which improves the strength of the metal by hardening it at room temperature.
Cast iron, on the other hand, is manufactured in a melting process using scrap iron and steel melted in an induction oven. The material is completely liquified, poured into a mold and brought to a predetermined shape during the cooling process. Because the metal is melted instead of forged, it causes it to lose strength.
Due to the complex manufacturing process, forged steel wheels are more expensive than cast iron. But if you need this strength and durability, the money is well spent. Forged steel is twice as strong and will not crack like cast iron. And another feature about forged steel is that it can be used in high-heat settings.
Forged Steel Wheels for High Temperature Settings
Forged steel is appropriate for any rigorous application, including high-heat settings. Most wheels and casters are designed to function in temperatures less than 150-degrees Fahrenheit, but both cast iron and forged steel can be used in temperatures above 600-degrees.
As temperatures rise over 600-degrees, the steel or cast iron will lose strength. We give the edge to forged steel because it handles high-temperature settings of up to 800-degrees, such as autoclaves, curing ovens, bakeries and smokehouses and tunnel kilns.
Furthermore, forged steel wheels are resistant to water, cleaning solutions, cooking oils, acids and salt. Don’t settle for just any type of industrial wheel – forged steel wheels are truly the best! Rockett Inc. has forged steel wheels ready to purchase to minimize cost and downtime. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, contact us and we’ll custom design your wheels to whatever specs you need!
