Fully machined, high chrome white iron, ASTM A532 pump parts.

News

Where Innovation Lives


The Penticton Foundry’s blog offers product updates, client success stories, news and tips.  It’s a place where research and innovation come together to keep our customers informed.


Ductile iron front housing for transmission made in 65 – 45 – 12

Casting Design Development Process

Posted by Penticton Foundry on July 11, 2024

How to ensure a successful collaboration between the customer, foundry and engineering firm in the casting design development process. Learn more here.

Steel railroad scrap which is re-used in other castings and products

Sustainability at Penticton Foundry

Posted by Penticton Foundry on May 7, 2024

Penticton Foundry is committed to being a model for sustainability, while still meeting the needs of our clients and community. Read our blog to find out more.

High chrome white iron liners used in chutes, or on conveyer walls, in the mining industry

Chute Liner Success in a Canadian Mine

Posted by Penticton Foundry on February 28, 2024

High chrome white iron chute liners outlast AR 400 steel plate by 6x in a Yukon mine. Read the success story to find out more.

Railroad repair cart wheels made in ASTM A897 Grade 3 175 – 125 – 04 austempered ductile iron.

ASTM A897 Grade 3 175-125-04 ISO 17804, EN-1564

Posted by Penticton Foundry on December 4, 2023

This data sheet focuses on ASTM A897 Grade 3 175 – 125 – 04 austempered ductile iron. It offers notes on composition, physical/mechanical properties and applications.

Penticton Foundry Milestones 2020-2022

Posted by Penticton Foundry on January 11, 2023

In spite of the pandemic, Penticton Foundry has achieved several key milestones in the last 3 years leading to success throughout BC and North America.

Chrome White Iron and Potash Mining

Posted by Penticton Foundry on September 6, 2022

Using chrome white iron in the potash mining industry can address wear challenges, leading to increased uptime. Read this blog to find out more.

Lower Sump Success Story

Posted by Penticton Foundry on May 25, 2022

A chrome white iron liner package outperformed the former CCO solution by 5 years. Read our blog to learn more.

Heat Resistant Gray Iron ASTM A319

Posted by Penticton Foundry on April 12, 2022

ASTM A319, is a heat resistant gray iron which has high temperature fatigue strength. Read our data sheet to find out more.

Castings for Wind Power

Posted by Penticton Foundry on November 5, 2021

Wind power castings, made from ductile iron, are a key component of wind turbines.

Gray Iron ASTM A48 Class 40

Posted by Penticton Foundry on September 14, 2021

This gray iron data sheet focuses on A48 Class 40. Notes on physical and mechanical properties, as well as potential applications are included.

Gray Iron ASTM A48 Class 20

Posted by Penticton Foundry on July 13, 2021

This data sheet focuses on gray iron ASTM A48 Class 20. It contains notes on composition, physical and mechanical properties, as well as potential applications.

Ductile Iron ASTM A536 Grade 120-90-02

Posted by Penticton Foundry on February 2, 2021

This data sheet focuses on ASTM A536 120 – 90 – 02 ductile iron. It offers notes on composition, applications, and physical and mechanical properties.

High Chrome White Iron Vs. Ceramic

Posted by Penticton Foundry on November 3, 2020

Chrome white iron and ceramic have key differences when it comes to abrasion resistance, ease of machining and cost of purchase. Read our blog to find out more.

Innovation in Wear Technology

Posted by Penticton Foundry on August 25, 2020

Penticton Foundry, in partnership with the National Research Council, offers a new wear sensor technology that’s a game changer. Read our blog to find out more.

Chrome White Iron Outlasts Rubber 7 Times

Posted by Penticton Foundry on May 5, 2020

A mine in British Columbia got 7 times the wear life by replacing their rubber-lined discharge nozzle with chrome white iron. Read this success story today.

Tips for Recycling and Reusing Ductile Iron

Posted by Penticton Foundry on December 3, 2019

One key benefit of iron production is that a foundry can melt down and reuse metal. Not only does this offer sustainability benefits, but significant cost savings.

Low Temperature Impact Resistant ASTM A536

Posted by Penticton Foundry on October 21, 2019

This ASTM A536 data sheet focuses on low temperature, impact resistant ductile iron. It includes microstructure, mechanical property and application notes.

Wye Lateral ASTM A532

Posted by Penticton Foundry on August 7, 2019

Wye laterals are used in a wide range of industries including the oil sands, mining, chemical processing, and waste management to transport liquids and slurries. Due to their caustic and/or abrasive composition, these materials can create substantial wear on parts, necessitating frequent replacement. The costs of replacement in both materials and downtime can be high.

Solid Solution Ductile Iron

Posted by Penticton Foundry on June 12, 2019

Conventional ductile iron contains a mix of pearlite and ferrite in the matrix surrounding the nodules. This mix, depending on different cooling rates throughout the casting, can cause large ranges in mechanical properties like hardness.

30% Chrome White Iron Data Sheet

Posted by Penticton Foundry on April 18, 2019

The 30% Cr alloy is designed for use in applications like flue-gas desulfurization (FGD). The higher Cr content makes this alloy especially useful when conditions of severe acid corrosion exist and when high Cl ion concentrations are present.

The Benefits of Using Chrome White Iron

Posted by Penticton Foundry on March 6, 2019

Because of its unique microstructure, chrome white iron offers superior abrasion resistance over other alloys, including steel. But ASTM A532 also confers specific recycling, reusing and repairing advantages over rubber and ceramic products, resulting in a lower environmental impact and significant cost savings.

Penticton Foundry Milestones 2018/2019

Posted by Penticton Foundry on January 23, 2019

Located in British Columbia, Canada, Penticton Foundry has become known for its game changing innovations in the use of ASTM A532, chrome white iron. Achieving this level of success requires constant dedication to furthering our expertise. It means investing in our people, processes and equipment, and ensuring that our customers’ expectations are exceeded every day.

Austempered Ductile Iron Case Study

Posted by Penticton Foundry on November 29, 2018

A mine in British Columbia, Canada was looking for a material to replace manganese steel in their gyratory crusher liners. The mine required good wear properties, coupled with the ability to absorb great impact at low temperature.

Gray Iron ASTM A48 Class 30

Posted by Penticton Foundry on September 12, 2018

ASTM A48 Class 30 (Related Standards – DIN GG20, BS 1452 Grade 220) is a gray cast iron. Gray iron consists of graphite flakes in a metallic matrix. When fractured, it is grayish in colour – hence the name (specifically, a fracture will follow along the graphite flakes which are gray). The low cost of production and attractive properties make gray iron one of the most commonly used ferrous alloys.

Why It Makes Sense to Use Chrome White Iron in the Oil Sands

Posted by Penticton Foundry on July 31, 2018

Sometimes, you get a success story that helps illustrate why many companies are shifting to chrome white iron in abrasion applications. But what are the challenges that are specific to the Oil Sands, and what is it about chrome white iron that makes it so effective there?

How to Use the G65 Test

Posted by Penticton Foundry on June 12, 2018

When materials are exposed to an abrasive environment, the media flow rubs against them, often leading to material loss over time. This can be mitigated by carefully choosing the correct material for abrasive areas.

The Myth of Chrome White Iron and Hardness

Posted by Penticton Foundry on May 8, 2018

From “chrome white iron is brittle” to “you can’t machine ASTM A532,” you’ll often hear myths when it comes to chrome white iron. But the reality is that ASTM A532 outperforms steel, AR plate and weld overlay in many applications requiring abrasion resistance.

Ductile Iron – Heat Treating vs Alloying

Posted by Penticton Foundry on April 10, 2018

When designing with ductile iron as an engineer you may notice that almost all ductile iron standards don’t specify a chemistry requirement. This is because the microstructure and mechanical properties can be achieved in different ways.

How to Heat Treat ASTM A532 – High Chrome White Iron

Posted by Penticton Foundry on January 16, 2018

Why Use Chrome White Iron ASTM A532, or high chrome white iron, has superior abrasion resistance. It is particularly effective in machinery or equipment that experiences grinding, gouging abrasion or crushing.

Ductile Iron ASTM A536 Grade 60-40-18

Posted by Penticton Foundry on November 28, 2017

ASTM A536 60-40-18 is a nodular Iron with a mostly ferritic microstructure and mechanical properties comparable to low alloy steels. Ductile iron 60-40-18 is one grade in a family of many. Chemistry requirements are not specified in the ASTM A536 standard. Chemistry and hardness listed in this spec would be typical for a Grade 60-40-18.

An Oil Sands Success Story with ASTM A532

Posted by Penticton Foundry on October 17, 2017

High chrome white iron, or ASTM A532 has a number of myths attached to it, the least of which is that it is brittle. The superior wear resistance of chrome white iron to steel, or AR 400 plate, however, makes it a natural choice for applications requiring abrasion resistance. A recent success story in the Oil Sands illustrates this.

Foundry Checklist

Posted by Penticton Foundry on September 13, 2017

In any business, relationships are key to success. The manufacturing industry is no different. This infographic offers tips to building a collaborative relationship with your foundry of choice. Doing so will help ensure that the casting process runs smoothly and that the part you receive meets your expectations.

The Differences Between Ni-Hard and Chrome White Iron

Posted by Penticton Foundry on August 16, 2017

Ni-hard is also called ASTM A532 Class I Type A. This blog explores the differences between Ni-hard and ASTM A532 Class II and III in an easy-to-read chart form. Microstructure differences will be examined and application suggestions made.

The Myths of Chrome White Iron – Brittleness

Posted by Penticton Foundry on July 25, 2017

There are a number of myths about chrome white iron. One of the most common is that high chrome white iron is too brittle for many applications.

Why Chrome White Iron Outperforms AR 400

Posted by Penticton Foundry on October 6, 2016

High chrome white iron ASTM A532 outperforms AR 400 for many applications. Read our blog to get the microstructure and macrostructure notes today.

Understanding Chrome White Iron

Posted by Penticton Foundry on September 22, 2016

Understanding the properties of high chrome white iron and its applications. Read our blog to find out more.

Understanding Ductile Iron

Posted by Penticton Foundry on August 24, 2016

Understanding the properties of ductile iron and its applications. Read our blog today to find out more.

Ductile Iron ASTM A536 Grade 80-55-06

Posted by Penticton Foundry on July 28, 2016

Data sheet for ductile iron ASTM A536 grade 80 – 55 – 06. Related standards – SAE J434C D5506, ISO 1083 500-7. Read our spec sheet for composition, and other details.

A bucket lip guard made in ASTM A532 Class 1 Type A Ni-Hard 1.

ASTM A532 Class I Type A

Posted by Penticton Foundry on June 15, 2016

ASTM A532 Class I Type A or Ni-Hard 1 is an abrasion resistant high chrome white iron good for low or medium dynamic stresses. Read our data sheet today.

Ductile Iron Machining Advantages

Posted by Penticton Foundry on June 1, 2016

Ductile iron has a number of machining advantages when compared to steel. Read our blog to learn about how ductile iron can outperform steel.

ASTM A532 Class II Type D Data Sheet

Posted by Penticton Foundry on May 17, 2016

Data sheet for ASTM A532 Class II Type D high chrome white iron. Read about the toughness and abrasion resistance of this alloy.

Chrome White Iron vs AR400 Plate

Posted by Penticton Foundry on February 24, 2016

A local mine just witnessed a dramatic visual testimony as to the superior wear performance of chrome white iron versus AR400.

Ductile Iron Data Sheet ASTM A536 65-45-12

Posted by Penticton Foundry on February 10, 2016

ASTM A536 65-45-12 is a nodular Iron with a ferritic and pearlitic microstructure and mechanical properties comparable to low alloy steels.

The Advantages of High Chrome White Iron

Posted by Penticton Foundry on December 9, 2015

There are a number of myths about high chrome white iron. Myths include the idea that high chrome white iron is not impact resistant, or that it can’t be machined.

Penticton Foundry Joins MARIOS

Posted by Penticton Foundry on November 18, 2015

Penticton Foundry is pleased to announce that we have joined MARIOS (Materials and Reliability in Oil Sands).

Ductile Iron vs Steel

Posted by Penticton Foundry on November 5, 2015

A comparison of ductile iron vs steel across a range of properties.

Chrome White Iron Liners

Posted by Penticton Foundry on October 14, 2015

A collection of Penticton Foundry’s chrome white iron wear liners. Our proprietary process lets us machine chrome white iron. Read on to find out more.

Chrome White Iron Elbow Spool Saves Company Millions

Posted by Penticton Foundry on September 9, 2015

A multinational oil and gas company approached Penticton Foundry to solve a wear problem with their 90° CCO spool which needed to be removed from service every 12 weeks (2000 hours) and weld repaired.

Chrome White Iron and Steel Bi-Metallic Trunnion Discharge Liner

Posted by Penticton Foundry on May 13, 2015

A customer had increased the size and volume of the media flowing in the fully autogenous milling circuit.  This created some very specific challenges, particularly because the trunnion discharge liner, which had been made of rubber, was now lasting 6 weeks rather than the 1 ½ years it had previously.  The customer approached us looking [more]

Penticton Foundry Milestones

Posted by Penticton Foundry on July 23, 2012

In a continuing effort to maintain and improve upon our foundry process, Penticton Foundry has made many changes over the years.

7000 lb Chrome Elbow Being Poured

Posted by Penticton Foundry on April 14, 2012

This is the 7000 lb solid chrome elbow that we produced for a mine in the Alberta Oil Sands being poured.

Cyclofeeder Wear Liner

Posted by Penticton Foundry on October 17, 2009

An oil sand customer from Ft McMurray had a Cyclofeeder liner that required new wear liners.

Frac Pump Sand Slinger

Posted by Penticton Foundry on October 16, 2009

One of our oil service companies used our Pliant 25 alloy to improve the wear life of their sand slingers.

CADI Feed Chute Liners

Posted by Penticton Foundry on August 6, 2009

CADI feed chute liners on a usage trial at a large Canadian copper mine.

Balanced Machined Impellers

Posted by Penticton Foundry on August 4, 2009

Balanced Machined Impellers at >600BHN in ASTM A532 CLIII Type A.

Trunnion Liner

Posted by Penticton Foundry on August 3, 2009

A 5800 pound ASTM A532 CLIII Type A >650BHN fully machined casting made for a mine here in British Columbia.

White Iron Cyclone Used in Oil Sands

Posted by Penticton Foundry on July 30, 2009

One customer’s success story. 17 times savings based on acquisition cast, running costs and expected life span!