Casting is purely the means of creating the shape, same as
forging and rolling. Therefore Cast Steel could be any grade
from mild steel to Stainless.
Quite often it is something like En 24T mentioned earlier and,
if it is, it should be welded in the same way.
If the actual grade is unknown E312 filler is good choice in
that it is crack resistant and high(ish) strength (around 800
N/mm2).
Usually castings are non uniform shape (which is why they were
cast) and this can create problems when heating (preheating) in
that the thin areas will warm up quicker than the thick areas
and expansion forces could cause cracks. Be careful if using a
torch, heat it slowly give the thicker sections time to warm up.
Manganese Steel
14% Manganese steel is often used for its work hardening
properties. Dredgers seem to use a lot of it and so do Mixers.
It used to be called Hadfields Manganese Steel after the firm
that invented it. Hadfield Steel was in Sheffield where
Meadowhall Shopping Mall is now (no comment)
In the as cast state it will have a hardness of around 150Hv but
by a little work (hammering or rubbing) that hardness will
rapidly increase to 500Hv. So it can be machined to fine
tolerances and will still withstand hammering and abrasion.
When welding onto it you must keep it cold. Use E307 weld metal
and keep the runs short. You could stand the whole component in
water to take the heat away or you can quench the weld in water.
Heating this steel (by any means) makes the grains grow and the
continue to grow until it loses strength and literally falls
apart.

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