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General
The material that forms the core for steel is also widely used by itself,
especially in the construction industry and in the making of gates, etc
for outdoor use. About the same weight as steel, but tends to provide
a harder material until heated.
Properties
Forming
Cutting
Can be cut with
hacksaw or jigsaw up to sensible thicknesses.
Can be machined by industrial machinary also. Cuts fairly cleanly but
needs de-burring afterwards.
Bending
Can easily be formed by heating. The art of the blacksmith is one
of the oldest surviving industrial practises. Complex shapes can be formed
by heating-shaping-heating cycles. To 'fix' the shape simply plunge into
water to cool rapidly and harden off.
Casting
Iron was an early candidate for casting. Can be simple sand casting
- still often seen - through to more modern industrial techniques. Heat
the metal to molten state, pour into mould and leave to cool for some
hours. Once cool remove the cast. Re-work is minimal and the resultant
article is already very strong although can be brittle.
Welding
Welding can be done easily with any type of welder. For MiG welding, carbon
dioxide (CO2) is the prefered shield gas. Iron
is fairly easy to weld, however the joins are prone to be sensitive to
impure joins. Make sure the weld is strong by hitting with a hammer and
if it needs re-welding, clean the area thoroughly with a wire brush before
trying again.
Grinding/Filing
Can be filed or ground using general abrasives. No special instructions
apply.
Joining
Joining is normally through welding or bolting/riveting.
Handling and Storage
As with all metals, iron
is heavy and edges can be sharp. It is very prone to rusting and should
be stored in a dry area wrapped in wax paper or well oiled with a light
oil (eg 3-in-1) to help hold off the oxidisation.
Links
| rswww.com |
Supplier, look under Mechanics/Engineering Materials |
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