We are proud to be a Lawton Standard company.
The continuous cast process conducted in our cast iron foundry ensures iron solidifies more uniformly, so it's more durable and reliable than traditional sand cast iron for many applications. Versa-Bar is manufactured with less scrap material and reduced machining, so it is stronger and costs less because there are no tooling charges.
Versa-Bar gray iron is the most metallurgically superior steel alternative on the market. Fluid power and bearing manufacturing industries across the United States are switching to our continuous self-lubricating iron castings because they are more cost-effective than other steel alternatives.
Continuous cast Versa-Bar ductile iron works well for applications needing high machinability and corrosion resistance.
Lawton Standard has North America's most extensive Versa-Bar continuous cast iron inventory. Our custom cast iron foundry supplies various shapes and sizes to fit your custom metal processing needs. The standard length of continuous cast iron is 72 inches, but upon request, it can be up to 144 in.
We supply companies nationwide with custom continuous cast rods, rounds and bars. .625" - 23.6" Dia. (Ductile rounds start at 1.5" in diameter.)
Learn More
Custom cast tubes are available as part of our huge supply of raw iron stock. Stock and custom I.D.s with O.D.s up to 22".
Learn More
Squares & rectangles may be machined into custom dimensions - for raw stock or custom processed components.
Learn More
We provide custom machined iron plates cast to your exact specifications.
Learn More
Upon request, we'll provide specialty shapes. Stock and custom cut available up to 18.5" x 22" x 72" and 10.5" x 24" x 82".
Learn More
American Iron & Alloys' capabilities include machining of custom cut pieces for your application.
Learn More
Versa-Bar's unique metallurgical properties make it a superior alternative to traditional sand castings. Versa-Bar is much more affordable than alternatives such as aluminum, brass, bronze, and many alloy and carbon steel grades.
Our continuous cast iron features microscopic flakes or graphite spheres with tiny recesses that promote oil retention. Lubricated parts stay oily longer, and the highly dispersed graphite acts as a self-lubricant in the case of oil loss. Naturally, non-abrasive qualities give Versa-Bar tubes, rounds, bars, and rods superior wearability, making it the true hydraulic metal. Our cast iron foundry supplies raw stock and custom-fabricated components in our versatile cast iron supply program.
Get more information on our standard rounds and bars and stock sizes.
Choose Lawton Standard and benefit from decreased material costs, improved machinability, and easy sourcing of high-quality metal stock with superior performance and durability. Partner with us to maintain a supply of the materials you need to drive business. Ask about our supply programs to lower costs even further! Contact us today to get started.
The chart below displays the speeds and feeds for aluminum, bronze, and steel and comparable rates for Versa-Bar. The field test operator used the rates for normal production requirements on a seven-horsepower lathe machine that produced hydraulic cylinder pistons. The cutting tool used for this analysis was a Valenite VC 67 Carbide Insert.
The operators were asked to reach the optimum SFM (surface feed per minute) on the Versa-Bar while maintaining a comparable depth of cut and surface roughness with the other three materials. Results show that all three grades of Versa-Bar far exceeded the conventional machinist handbooks for SFM on cast iron. If you were to run the same test on a CNC machine or use one of the new high-tech inserts, rates comparable to those shown on the NGK chart would be possible.
Some metallurgists say the difference between gray and ductile iron is that ductile iron is an "upgraded" version of gray iron. However, it's not that simple.
Continuous cast gray iron is recommended for straight-wear applications in the hydraulics industry due to its lower tensile strength, higher thermal conductivity, and higher damping capacity. It's an ideal metal for bearings and bushings, but ductile iron is much better for moving parts because it is more malleable and impact-resistant. Our continuous cast ductile iron is commonly used for pistons and other machinery requiring high tensile strength.
Versa-Bar is one of the cast iron foundry industry’s finest metals for fluid power, so its role in hydraulic and pneumatic power systems is critical. Reaching peak efficiency in power production minimizes costs and maximizes total output. Versa-Bar continuous cast iron’s natural lubrication and ability to dissipate heat make it ideal for these applications.
Sand casting has been one of the most popular and simplest types of casting for centuries because it's inexpensive and can be used for ferrous and non-ferrous metals. However, sand casting tends to yield a lower degree of accuracy and a rougher surface finish compared to continuous casting.
Continuous casting is a refined process in our cast iron foundry, specifically designed for large-volume production. It's also known as strand casting and produces high-quality products in various shapes and sizes, including square bars, tubes, hexagonal profiles, and slabs with varying thickness levels. Learn more about the advantages of continuous casting.
Lawton Standard offers the most flexible and customizable purchasing program for cast iron.
We pride ourselves on our customer service and unparalleled flexibility in tailoring our products and services to your needs. Getting you exactly what you need means less waste and lower prices. You decide if you want your metal stock raw, processed, or machined.
Our advanced in-house custom cast iron foundry and precision CNC machine shop allow us to produce metal parts to your exact specifications - and do so with fast turn-around times. However complex the part is, we can produce it. We can create a prototype with a blueprint and start manufacturing your part at the required volume. We can produce the metal parts you need, and our supply chain can deliver your parts on time. We're here to help improve your bottom line. Some of the industries benefiting most from our products, services, and partnerships include:
Regardless of your industry, if you need a metal supply partner, consider partnering with Lawton Standard for high-quality metal, precision CNC machining, and a reliable supply chain. We supply metal components across the United States, including Milwaukee, New York, North Carolina, California, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Oklahoma.
