Cast iron is more brittle, tougher, and less pliable than wrought iron. It cannot be bent, stretched, or hammered into form because of its low tensile strength, which causes it to shatter before it bends or distorts. It does, however, have a high compressive strength. Because of these properties, it is used for items that will not be subjected to large forces or extreme conditions such as cookware, jars, pots, and pans. Pig iron on the other hand has higher yield strength and tensile strength. This means it can be shaped under larger forces than cast iron and also has a higher resistance to breaking. It is used for items that require lower cost materials but still need to be strong enough to be functional - for example, fence posts. Pig iron is also easier to work with because it is softer than cast iron. Overall, cast iron is better for cooking tools and products that are expected to last for many years while pig iron is preferable for items that need to be inexpensive and functional right away.