How to Stop Cracks in Ductile Iron

Stopping cracks in ductile iron is essential to prevent water damage or total ruin of the object. Ductile iron, or graphite iron, is a material commonly used in the manufacturing of golf clubs. Since 1949, ductile iron has been used in many building projects due to its enhanced strength and stiffness over its grey, or standard, counterpart. The trick to preventing cracks from enlarging or causing damage is to solder the breakages shut at the first sight of damage.

Things You'll Need

  • Work gloves
  • Dust mask
  • Safety glasses
  • Cardboard
  • Newspaper
  • 140W solder gun
  • Solder wire
  • Damp sponge
  • Cardboard
  • Newspaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Slide on work gloves, a dust mask and safety glasses to protect skin, lungs and eyes. Establish work in a well ventilated area, with a concrete floor, such as a car port or garage.

    • 2

      Layer the floor of your work area with newspaper or cardboard to catch drips from the melting solder.

    • 3

      Begin preheating the solder gun. Rub solder wire onto the tip of the gun once the tip begins to warm. Rub the tip clean with a damp sponge. Cleaning the tip removes any existing solder residue.

    • 4

      Place the end of the solder wire to the iron crack. Touch the tip of the gun to the connection point between the wire and crack to solder the crack shut. Repeat this process for any existing cracks. Turn off the solder gun once you are finished.