Wrought iron facts for kids

Wrought iron is a special kind of metal. It's mostly iron, but it has very little carbon in it. Most steels have much more carbon than wrought iron. It also contains tiny bits of slag, which is like a glassy waste material. This slag gives wrought iron a unique look, almost like the grain you see in wood. It's a strong metal that can be shaped easily. You can also stretch it into wires or join pieces together by welding.

In the past, wrought iron was very common. It was one of the main types of iron used before modern steel became popular. Today, mild steel is often used instead. Wrought iron has a rough surface. This makes it good for holding paint or a protective zinc coating. This coating process is called galvanization.

What is Wrought Iron?

Wrought iron is a type of iron that has been worked or "wrought." This means it was shaped by hammering or rolling it while it was hot. It's different from other irons because it has very little carbon. Carbon is a chemical element that makes metals harder. Wrought iron usually has less than 0.08% carbon.

What Makes Wrought Iron Special?

Wrought iron has several cool features:

• It's tough: This means it's strong and hard to break.
• It's malleable: You can hammer or press it into different shapes without it breaking. Think of how you can flatten clay.
• It's ductile: You can pull it into thin wires without it snapping.
• It's easy to weld: Pieces of wrought iron can be joined together by heating them and pressing them.

The tiny bits of slag inside wrought iron make it special. When the iron is shaped, these slag pieces stretch out. They create a fibrous look, like the lines you see in wood grain.

How is Wrought Iron Different from Steel?

The main difference between wrought iron and mild steel is the amount of carbon. Mild steel has more carbon than wrought iron. This extra carbon makes steel stronger and harder. However, wrought iron is often easier to work with. It's also more resistant to rust in some environments.

The History of Wrought Iron

Wrought iron was one of the most important metals for a long time. It was widely used during the Middle Ages. Blacksmiths used it to make tools, weapons, gates, and decorative items. It was the main type of iron available before modern methods of making steel were invented.

Why Was Wrought Iron Important?

For centuries, wrought iron was essential for building and everyday life. It was used to make:

• Strong chains and anchors for ships.
• Beautiful fences and gates for homes and gardens.
• Parts for early machines and bridges.
• Tools for farming and building.

Its ability to be shaped and welded made it very useful. It helped people create many things we still see in old buildings and structures today.

Wrought Iron Today

Today, mild steel has mostly replaced wrought iron. Steel is cheaper to make in large amounts. It also has different strengths and properties that are good for modern building.

However, wrought iron is still used for special projects. It's often chosen when people want to restore old buildings or make new items look historical. Artists and craftspeople also use it to create unique, handmade pieces. These items often have a classic, old-world charm.

Protecting Wrought Iron

Wrought iron has a naturally rough surface. This texture helps paint and other coatings stick to it very well. One common way to protect wrought iron is through galvanization. This process adds a layer of zinc to the surface. The zinc protects the iron from rust and corrosion. This helps wrought iron last a very long time, even outdoors.

Related pages

• Mild steel

Images for kids

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  The puddling process of smelting iron ore to make wrought iron from pig iron, illustrated in the Tiangong Kaiwu encyclopedia by Song Yingxing, published in 1637.

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  Schematic drawing of a puddling furnace

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  The microstructure of wrought iron, showing dark slag inclusions in ferrite

See also

In Spanish: Hierro forjado para niños