--- type: "WebPage" title: "Laboratory Analysis and Expertise of Cast Iron – Metallurgical Expertise" description: "Our laboratory is an expert in the metallurgy and analysis of alloys, particularly cast iron, and offers its expertise in analysing the chemical composition and controlling the grades of metal alloys. Your needs: to carry out an analysis of the..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-cast-iron/" tags: ["EN", "pll_68231e386ea48", "Arnaud JOUDRAIN Meta"] timestamp: "2025-12-31T08:32:29Z" published: "2025-05-13T12:33:16Z" language: "en" author: "Laure Durieux" --- # Laboratory Analysis and Expertise of Cast Iron – Metallurgical Expertise Our laboratory is an expert in the **metallurgy** and **[analysis of alloys](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/metallic-alloy-analysis-laboratory.md)**, particularly cast iron, and offers its expertise in analysing the **chemical composition and controlling the grades of metal alloys**. ## Your needs: to carry out an analysis of the cast iron alloy **Cast iron** is an **alloy of iron and carbon** containing more than 2% carbon. It is produced by smelting iron ore in a blast furnace, where it is separated from the slag and cast in the form of ingots or directly transformed. Other elements, such as silicon, manganese or sulphur, may be added to improve its mechanical properties, hardness and fluidity. There are several types of cast iron, **classified according to their chemical composition** and physical and chemical characteristics: ![](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fonte-1024x184.png) ### The different types of cast iron and alloys Each type of cast iron is chosen according to the specific requirements of strength and durability. **Grey cast iron**: the most common. It contains carbon in the form of graphite. Good machinability, vibration damping, used for engine crankcases, cylinder blocks, etc. **White cast iron**: carbon in the form of carbides. Very hard, very resistant to wear, but difficult to machine. **Malleable cast iron:**obtained by annealing white cast iron. More ductile, used in fastening or assembly parts. **Spheroidal (or nodular) graphite cast iron**: better mechanical strength, more ductile than grey cast iron. Used for highly stressed parts. ### Analysis of cast iron composition: essential quality control Analysis of the chemical composition of cast iron enables the presence and concentration of essential alloying elements such as iron, carbon and phosphorus to be verified, ensuring the conformity of materials for safety- and performance-critical applications. ## The FILAB laboratory, specialist in metallurgical and cast iron analysis The FILAB laboratory offers several hundred customers metallurgical analysis services on cast irons, some of which are [COFRAC ISO 17025](https://filab.fr/en/about-us/accreditations-en.md) accredited. The FILAB laboratory puts its experience and specific skills at your disposal to control the quality of your cast irons. ### Our cast iron analysis methods We use advanced analytical techniques, such as spectrometry and ICP analysis, to accurately detect the chemical composition of cast iron and its alloys. These methods make it possible to measure elemental content and ensure the quality of materials. ## Our technical resources [### Elemental analyzers C,H,O,N,S](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-elemental-analysis.md) ### Elemental analyzers Carbon, Sulphur (C/S) ### Elemental analyzers Nitrogen, Oxygen and Hydrogen (N / O / H) [### Spark Spectrometry SEO](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-oes-alloys.md) [### Basic analysis techniques ICP-AES and ICP-MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md) [### SEM](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md) ## Our analysis of metals and alloys [Iron](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iron-alloys-analysis-at-filab-laboratory.md): [steel](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-steel.md), steel 316l, [stainless steel](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/stainless-steel-laboratory-analysis.md) [Titanium](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-titanium-alloys.md) : [TiAl](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-of-tial.md), T40, TA6V [Cobalt](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-cobalt-alloys.md) : Cobalt Stellite Grade 6, Cobalt Stellite Grade 21 [Nickel](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-nickel-alloys.md) ([Nitinol](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/nitinol-characterisation.md), [Inconel](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-inconel-metals.md) 718, Inconel 625, [René 77](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-of-rene-77.md), Hastelloy X)  [Zinc](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-zinc-alloys.md) [Chromium](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-chromium-6/) [Copper](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-copper-alloys.md): brass, [bronze](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-of-bronze.md) [Aluminium](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-aluminum-alloys.md): AS7G06 [Tin](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-tin-alloy-sn.md) : SAC 305, SAC 0807, Tin-Lead (SNPB) [Lead](https://filab.fr/en/laboratory-analysis-lead/) [Molybdenum](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/molybdenum-laboratory-analysis.md) Composition analysis enables quality control and ensures the conformity of cast iron for demanding industrial applications. Analysis of the [chemical composition](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory.md) and [grade control](https://filab.fr/en/analysis-of-metallic-alloys-in-the-laboratory.md) of cast iron alloys [Elemental analysis in the laboratory](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/analyses-chimiques/laboratoire-analyses-elementaires.md) [Analysis of ferroalloys](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/ferroalloy-analysis.md) [Corrosion expertise](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/laboratory-expertise-and-analysis-of-corrosion.md) ### To see further: our expertise in cast iron alloys In addition to routine metallurgical analyses, the FILAB laboratory can provide you with expert metallurgical analyses and failure studies on your cast iron samples: [Metallographic examination](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/examination-metallographic-section-laboratory.md) of cast iron [Weld analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures/laboratory-analysis-welds.md) on cast iron Study of fracture surfaces on cast iron [Study of ageing](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/filab-accelerated-ageing-test-laboratory/) (corrosion, surface alteration, etc.) on cast iron [Metallurgical expertise](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory.md) [Thickness measurement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/surface-coating-thickness-measurement.md) of cast iron part coatings [Study of corrosion](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/laboratory-expertise-and-analysis-of-corrosion.md) resistance on cast iron [Analysis and characterization of cast iron surfaces](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization.md) (roughness, defects, etc.) Analysis [Alloy composition](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/metallic-alloy-analysis-laboratory.md) [Study of microstructures](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures/laboratory-of-microstructure-analysis-of-materials.md) on cast iron material ### Analysis of cast iron alloys according to ISO and NF standards Our laboratory complies with the reference standards for the analysis of cast iron alloys, guaranteeing results that comply with ISO and NF standards. ### Applications of cast iron alloy analysis The analysis of cast iron alloys is commonplace in sectors where cast iron is widely used, such as the automotive, mechanical and energy industries. Whether to check corrosion resistance, durability or material safety. ### Why choose our laboratory to analyse cast iron and its alloys? Our FILAB laboratory offers services dedicated to the **analysis of cast iron and its alloys**, tailored to the specific needs of each industry. **Analysing the composition of cast iron** can address a number of industrial issues: **Quality control**: guaranteeing that cast iron complies with technical specifications and industry standards to ensure product durability, safety and performance. **Optimising performance**: precisely adapting the composition of the cast iron to the conditions of use, such as corrosion resistance in marine or chemical environments. **Regulatory compliance**: check that the cast iron meets standards (ISO, NF) and legal requirements specific to certain industries. **Failure prevention**: identify undesirable elements or compositional deviations that could compromise the strength and stability of the alloy under extreme conditions. ## FAQ Why choose alloy cast iron rather than steel? Alloy cast iron is often less expensive, easier to mould and better at damping vibrations. It is ideal for complex parts with a high mass or subject to high compressive stresses. What are the main mechanical tests applied to cast iron? - Brinell / Vickers hardness - Tensile strength - Impact strength (Charpy test) - Fatigue tests (for nodular cast iron) Can cast iron withstand high temperatures? Yes, some cast irons (alloyed with Mo, Si, Ni...) can withstand high temperatures (> 600°C), particularly in exhaust systems or boilers. How can corrosion of cast iron parts be prevented? - Surface treatments (paint, zinc plating, phosphating, etc.) - Choice of alloys (nickel or copper cast iron) - Enamelled coatings (e.g. cookware)