ISO 185-2020 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 185:2020 — Grey cast irons — Classification. Specifies classification criteria for unalloyed and low‑alloy grey cast irons used for castings made in sand moulds or moulds with comparable thermal behaviour; classification options are based on tensile strength and Brinell hardness and include test and designation options for cast samples or samples taken from castings.

Abstract

This International Standard (fourth edition, 2020) defines characterizing properties and grade designations for grey cast irons. It specifies eight grades based on tensile strength and six grades based on Brinell hardness, describes permissible test options (tensile tests on cast samples or on samples cut from castings, and Brinell hardness tests on castings or cast‑on knobs), and notes optional combinations of tensile and hardness requirements. The standard excludes grey irons for pipes, pipe fittings and continuous‑cast products and does not cover technical delivery conditions for castings.

General information

• Status: Published / Current.
• Publication date: May 2020 (ISO publication: 2020‑05, issued 29 May 2020 in the ISO catalogue).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); adopted/issued by national bodies for sale (e.g., BSI, DIN).
• ICS / categories: 77.080.10 (Irons).
• Edition / version: Fourth edition — ISO 185:2020 (replaces ISO 185:2019).
• Number of pages: 27 pages (ISO published document length).

Scope

ISO 185:2020 specifies the characterizing properties and grade designations for grey cast irons used in sand‑mould or similar casting processes. The standard allows specifying grades by tensile strength (measured on cast test pieces or on samples cut from castings) or by Brinell hardness (measured on castings or cast‑on knobs), or by an agreed combination of both. It explicitly excludes grey cast irons for pipes and pipe fittings and continuous cast products and does not set technical delivery conditions for castings.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification into eight tensile‑strength grades and six Brinell‑hardness grades for grey cast irons.
• Permitted test options: (a) tensile strength on cast samples; (b) tensile strength on samples cut from a casting (if agreed); (c) Brinell hardness on castings or on a cast‑on knob (if agreed).
• Option to specify a combination of tensile strength and hardness where agreed by manufacturer and purchaser (guidance provided in Annex B of the standard).
• Exclusions: castings for pipes and pipe fittings and continuous cast products are outside the scope.
• Reference to related test methods and microstructure classification standards for complete specification (users are expected to apply appropriate tensile and hardness test standards when implementing ISO 185 requirements).

Typical use and users

Used by foundries, metallurgical and materials engineers, casting designers, quality control and testing laboratories, and procurement/specification writers to select, classify and verify grey‑iron grades for components such as engine blocks, brake discs, machine frames, housings and other cast parts where mechanical properties, damping and thermal properties are relevant.

Related standards

Commonly used together with: ISO 945‑1 (microstructure — graphite classification), ISO 6892‑1 (tensile testing at room temperature), ISO 6506‑1 (Brinell hardness test), and ISO/TR 10809‑1 (engineering properties of grey cast irons). These referenced standards provide the test methods and microstructural context needed to apply ISO 185 classifications.

Keywords

grey cast iron, gray iron, classification, tensile strength, Brinell hardness, castings, sand moulds, graphite, ISO 185:2020

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 185:2020 is an International Standard that classifies unalloyed and low‑alloy grey cast irons by tensile strength and Brinell hardness for castings produced in sand moulds or moulds with similar thermal behaviour.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers grading/designation rules (eight tensile grades, six hardness grades), permitted test options (tensile on cast samples or on samples cut from castings; Brinell hardness on casting or cast‑on knob), and excludes pipes, pipe fittings and continuous‑cast products. It does not provide technical delivery conditions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Foundries, materials and design engineers, QA/QC laboratories, testing houses, and specification writers use ISO 185 to prescribe and verify grey‑iron grades for engineering cast components.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 185:2020 is the current (fourth) edition published in May 2020; the ISO catalogue records this edition as published and confirmed (reviewed and confirmed in subsequent five‑year reviews), so it remains the current version. It replaced the previous ISO 185:2019 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the family of standards covering cast irons and testing methods (e.g., ISO 945‑1 for graphite classification, ISO/TR 10809‑1 for engineering properties) and is typically used alongside specific tensile and hardness test standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Grey cast iron, classification, tensile strength grades, Brinell hardness grades, castings, sand moulds, graphite, ISO 185:2020.