| 1 |
Strength & Load-Bearing Capacity |
- Meets the needs of most municipal, commercial and medium-to-high load scenarios;
- More in-depth testing is required in extreme overload (such as airport runways and facilities). |
- High reliability in high-pressure and heavy-load environments;
- Brittle cracks may occur if the casting process or material grade is not good. |
In conventional load scenarios, SMC performance is sufficient; in heavy-load extreme occasions, cast iron still has advantages or upgraded SMC can be considered. |
| 2 |
Weight & Installation |
- Lightweight, easy to install, saving labor and transportation costs;
- Market awareness is still low, and corresponding training or usage guidance is required. |
- Heavy weight, good stability, not easy to shift;
- More manpower or machinery is required, and the installation cost is relatively high. |
SMC is more suitable for projects with insufficient manpower, tight construction schedule or limited installation conditions; cast iron can still be completed quickly when construction resources are sufficient. |
| 3 |
Anti-Theft & Safety |
- No metal recycling value, the risk of theft is almost zero;
- Special anti-theft design can be added to further improve safety. |
- Has metal recycling value, theft incidents are frequent;
- Anti-theft locks or alarm devices need to be installed separately, adding extra costs. |
SMC is more effective in areas with high incidence of theft and projects with high public safety requirements. |
| 4 |
Corrosion Resistance |
- Resistant to acid, alkali, salt spray and general chemical corrosion, the surface does not rust, and less maintenance in the later stage; |
- Long service life in ordinary municipal environments;
- Coastal and chemical zones are prone to rust and require continuous anti-corrosion and maintenance. |
In chemical, coastal, and high-salt-alkali areas, SMC saves more maintenance costs; cast iron needs to strengthen anti-corrosion treatment. |
| 5 |
Temperature adaptability range |
- The structure is stable and not easy to deform in the range of **-40℃ to 150℃**;
- Very few high-temperature scenarios exceeding 150℃ require special evaluation. |
- It is less sensitive to high temperatures, but may become brittle in extremely cold environments;
- Long-term use in extremely low temperatures or hot and cold cycle environments requires regular inspections. |
SMC can meet most climatic conditions without worrying about high-temperature deformation; customized solutions can also be considered for extremely cold and hot scenes. |
| 6 |
Cost and Return on Investment (ROI) |
- The initial purchase price is slightly higher than ordinary cast iron, but the subsequent theft, corrosion, maintenance and replacement costs are lower;
- The cost advantage of the whole life cycle is obvious. |
- The supply chain is mature, and the unit price is usually lower than SMC;
- If the risk of anti-theft, maintenance or corrosion is considered in the long term, the total cost may rise. |
To focus on long-term ROI or safe and stable operation, SMC has more outstanding overall advantages; cast iron can be selected first for extremely tight budgets or short-term projects. |
| 7 |
Environmental protection and carbon emissions |
- The production energy consumption and carbon emissions are lower, in line with the trend of green environmental protection;
- The waste recycling system is still developing. |
- The metal recycling system is mature;
- The smelting process has high energy consumption and high carbon emission pressure, and it is necessary to cope with increasingly stringent environmental protection policies. |
In the current ESG and low-carbon policy environment, SMC can better demonstrate its environmental advantages; cast iron can rely on recycling, but high emissions are difficult to change. |
| 8 |
Design and aesthetics |
- Flexible customization of colors, patterns, and brand logos;
- Suitable for urban landscapes and high-end commercial projects, meeting the unity of aesthetics and functionality. |
- Traditional appearance is stable and highly recognizable;
- If delicate carvings or special spraying are required, the cost and construction period will increase. |
In occasions that focus on visual or brand image, SMC customization is more attractive; ordinary public roads or industrial environments have a simpler and more direct demand for the traditional appearance of cast iron. |
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