Cast irons belong to a family of iron-carbon (Fe - C) alloys with free carbon in the form of graphite, a very soft constituent of iron microstructures, that improves machinability and damping properties of castings, or combined carbon, in the form of cementite, that improves wear resistance. Graphitic cast irons include grey iron, compacted iron, malleable iron, and ductile iron, Cementite irons include white cast iron and alloy cast irons. Solidification of graphite directly from molten metal takes place between 1145°C (2093 °F) and 1152 °C (2105 °F), according to the Fe-C equilibrium diagram. The above considerations regard only pure Fe - C alloys.