Ductile iron is also referred to as what?

Ductile iron is also commonly known as cast iron. This term reflects the method of manufacturing ductile iron, which is produced by casting molten iron into a mold. The term "cast iron" encompasses a range of iron alloys that are poured into molds and allowed to solidify, which includes various types of iron specifically formulated for enhanced characteristics.

Ductile iron is characterized by its ability to deform under stress, which is a result of the microstructure of its carbon content arranged as spheroidal graphite rather than flakes, which are found in gray iron. This property gives ductile iron its distinctive toughness and strength, making it widely utilized in applications requiring durability and resistance to fracture.

The other options refer to different types of iron with varying properties and production methods. Wrought iron is known for its malleability and strength but is not the same as ductile or cast iron. Forged iron, while a term sometimes used interchangeably with wrought iron, refers to iron that has been shaped by mechanical working. Gray iron, another type of cast iron, contains graphite flakes which impart different mechanical properties compared to ductile iron. Thus, casting and the specific characteristics of ductile iron align it with the term "cast iron."