Cast iron, wrought iron, pig iron? There’s a lot of talk about iron, but what does it actually mean? How is cast iron different from wrought iron? And what could pig iron possibly be? Hercules Custom Iron is here to help you iron out the semantics.
Let’s talk about how iron is made. Iron oxide is extracted from naturally occurring ores, and is then heated to temperatures of between 1,600 and 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat comes from burning a source of carbon, which can be coke (made from coal) or charcoal. The carbon bonds with the oxygen in the molten mix and removes it, leaving only the metallic elements. During this process, known as smelting, the oxide is reduced to a raw metal from which the final product can be produced.
Cast iron is made by smelting this metal at high temperatures in a liquid state. In the past, the product was poured into blocks known as pigs to cool, hence the name pig iron, which is synonymous with cast iron. Cast iron absorbs a significant amount of carbon during this process, up to 5 percent, which makes it brittle.
Wrought iron is made by smelting at lower temperatures in a semi-liquid semi-solid state and hammering off the impurities. The name “wrought” iron refers to the process of physically working the iron to remove the impurities. A benefit of smelting at lower temperatures is that the iron typically contains less than 1 percent carbon, and is therefore stronger, more malleable, and less brittle.
Hercules Custom Iron is proud to be an affiliate of Hercules Fence. We have more than 70 years of industry experience and are committed to providing quality craftsmanship. Our custom designs are crafted by master fabricators to produce ornamental iron that offers both aesthetic appeal and structural reliability. Professional in-house installers take care to provide the highest quality service for every job they complete.
Our state-of-the art manufacturing and sand blasting facility is located just 60 miles north of Washington D.C. We also offer onsite, top of the line paint and powder coating. Our dedication has enabled Hercules Custom Iron to become a revolutionary company respected throughout the industry. We are proud to of our place as a leading manufacturer of custom iron work throughout, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. We look forward to having you Contact Us to learn more about how we can help you with your next custom iron, specialty metal or aluminum project!
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Sources
http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/research/glossary/iron.html