Malleable iron

Material

Malleable iron is annealed cast iron, strong and tough, used for snap hooks with complex shapes. Bare, it rusts, so ours are nickel plated. See the snap hooks.

Products: Malleable iron

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What malleable iron is

Cast iron that the foundry anneals for many hours after casting. Annealing turns hard, brittle white iron into a tough material that withstands pulling and shocks. Bare malleable iron rusts in damp conditions much like steel, which is why our snap hooks made from it have a nickel finish.

Why we use it for hardware

Casting produces a snap hook body with a complex shape in a single piece. We have malleable iron bull snaps for working with horses and cattle, and scissor snaps for hunting and sports leashes.

When to choose it and when to look elsewhere

  • Stable, pasture, hunting ground: the snap hook handles a pulling animal and rough handling in gloves.
  • Strong hardware at a low price: where you don’t mind that the metal needs care.

For frequent contact with water, sweat or the sea, choose a snap hook made from cast stainless steel. For lighter loads, zinc die casting is enough. For sensitive skin, keep in mind that the surface is nickel.

How it ages and how to care for it

Where rope, webbing or chain rubs against the nickel layer, it can wear through over time and the iron starts to rust there. Wipe a wet snap hook dry, rinse mud and sand out of the jaws and away from the spring, and now and then put a drop of oil on the moving parts.

Good to know

Malleable iron is also the traditional material for threaded pipe fittings in water and gas lines: elbows and tees that must not crack when a plumber tightens them with a wrench. Do not confuse it with ductile iron. That is a different material, cast iron with spheroidal graphite, which gets its properties during casting itself.

Values describe the bare material without a surface finish; the finish page says what changes.

  • Price

    Lowest

    The lowest price class in this comparison. Suited to larger production runs and projects where unit cost is a priority.

  • Strength

    High

    Suitable for strong, repeated pulling. Holds its shape under sustained loads better than materials in the lower strength classes.

  • Corrosion resistance

    None

    The bare material has no useful corrosion resistance. Choose a protective finish when the product may come into contact with moisture or sweat.

  • Water

    Keep dry

    Contact with water can cause corrosion, swelling, mould or other damage. Keep the material dry and dry it promptly if it becomes wet.

Weight Medium A mid-weight option. For small collars, accessories and products worn for long periods, compare the weight of the complete product with a lighter material.
Allergy risk Depends on finish The allergy risk depends mainly on the selected surface finish, which may contain nickel or another contact allergen. Check the finish rather than relying on the base material alone.
Aging Degrades Without protection, both function and appearance deteriorate over time. Typical signs include colour loss, embrittlement or cracking, a rougher surface, rust or white corrosion products.
Maintenance Regular care Regular treatment, oiling or impregnation helps preserve the material. Follow the care instructions for the complete product, because the required method and interval can vary.