Combine the high wear resistance of a cast iron face with the ease of welding a low-carbon steel base. You'll often see these wear plates used on backhoe and excavator bucket teeth, but you can use them anywhere you need to protect equipment from heavy abrasion, friction, and impact. Also known as chocky bars because they resemble a chocolate bar, these plates can be shortened by breaking off sections. Cut through the low-carbon base at a scored section, then wrap the plate with a cloth and hit it with a hammer to break the cast iron side.

Ductile cast iron is strong, resilient, and able to handle repeated stress without breaking. It also absorbs vibration, so finished parts run quieter than those made of steel.

Gray cast iron machines faster with less wear on cutting tools than most types of steel. It also absorbs vibration, so finished parts run quieter than those made of steel. It's often fabricated into gears, pulleys, and bushings.