The image shows the cover of the "Handbook of Cast Iron Pipe." Cast iron is an iron alloy with more than 2% carbon and 1 to 3% silicon. It has been used for pipes for centuries, with the first cast iron pipes being installed at Versailles in 1664 and in the United States in Philadelphia in the 1810s. Cast iron pipes are primarily used in gravity flow applications, such as storm and sanitary sewers, and waste and vent piping installations. However, cast iron pipes have drawbacks, including their heavy nature, propensity for clogging and corrosion, and a lifespan of around 50 years. Due to these issues, they have largely been replaced by PVC or ABS pipes. There are several types of cast iron, including gray cast iron, white cast iron, ductile cast iron, and malleable cast iron. The "Handbook of Cast Iron Pipe" likely provides detailed information about the properties, uses, and installation of cast iron pipe