PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Made mostly of carbon, silicon, and iron. Other elements include manganese, nickel, phosphorous, and sulfur
Cast iron is an interstitial alloy because it's smaller cations can fit into the spaces between larger atoms.
The Chinese started using cast iron around 513BC. They used it for creating cookware and other cast iron items.
Excellent for cooking due to heaviness and density of the metal. This enables cast iron to the heavy, dense nature of cast iron allows it to withstand high temperatures and provide excellent heat conduction and retention. The ability to withstand high temperatures makes cast iron excellent for frying, searing, or charring. This also allows the cookware to not only be used on the stove, but inside of hot ovens as well.
Furnaces did not burn hot enough to create cast iron until the medieval era in Europe. Cast iron bridge details, rails, pillars, benches, pipes and old storefront facades in older sections of towns and cities. Household items include hefty cookware like cast iron pots, pans, kettles, grills, and detailing like knobs and doors. Most of its uses have been replaced by steel.
