[TheForge] Re: Steel question OT

[Bruce Freeman]

Andy,
Crucible steel was specifically remelted in a crucible
(small scale) for uses such as clock springs.  I doubt
any such process was ever used for structural steel.

In principal, the Byers process could have made
"wrought iron" of any carbon level through the "steel
range."  I wouldn't be surprized if they did exactly
that.  It would satify those who wanted "wrought iron"
while providing more structural strength.  Can you
date this material and see whether it fit into the
time frame of the Byers process?

Bruce
NJ/OR

--- Andrew Vida <osan at netlabs.net> wrote:
Several
> months ago I nabbed 
> about 3 tons of wrought iron fron a demolition site
> here in Philly.  I 
> call it wrought iron, but my friend Marshall takes
> issue with that.  The 
> iron corrodes like wrought, showing a distinct grain
> pattern.  It has 
> demonstrated good corrosion resistance.  It fails
> precisely in the 
> manner of wrought iron.  The one place where it
> departs expectations is 
> in the spark test, showing slight sparklies of a
> very low-yellow tinge 
> rather than orangey spikes.
> 
> 	This brings up the question of wrought iron's
> definition, I suppose. 
> To me this is wrought largely because of its clear
> grain structure, 
> apparent corrosion resistance as the result of the
> presence of iron 
> silicate, and its failure mode.  My readings,
> including Byers' book, 
> indicates that the carbon content of wrought, while
> consistently low 
> throughout history, still leaves some room for
> variance, particularly in 
> light of the statistically uncontrolled nature of
> the ancient processes.
> 
> 	I cannot see this material as being blister steel
> as I'm not familiar 
> with anyone making large structural members (I-beams
> and channels) from 
> this material.  Could this material be crucible
> steel?  Doesn't seem 
> right either, for no other reason than most of the
> impurities were 
> removed in that process.  The iron silicate was
> certainly regarded as an 
> impurity and the iron I have shows a VERY strong
> grain.
> 
> 	Everything about this material, save perhaps the C
> content says 
> "wrought iron".  Anyone have any more definitive
> information on this?
> 
> 	Oh, yeah, it forges like very high quality wrought,
> too.
> 
> 	-Andy
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