Recent Advances in Cast Irons

Cast irons are widely used in industry due to their excellent castability, allowing for the production of near-net shape components with complex geometries without the need for additional forging or machining processes. They also are a cost-effective material with good machinability, corrosion resistance, and vibration damping properties, as well as relatively high wear resistance, thanks to graphite’s self-effect. However, achieving the optimal combination of microstructure and mechanical properties requires optimizing the process parameters, solidification conditions, and heat treatment for a specific chemical composition. Hence, continuous research efforts in cast iron are crucial for the improvement of in-service performance. In this frame, this Special Issue includes original research papers and a review that cover the most recent research and development aimed at improving the chemical, physical and metallurgical characteristics of cast irons that, in turn, affect their mechanical, tribological and corrosion performance.