Microstructure, Processing, and Properties of Early Twentieth Century Wrought Iron
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-21-2025
Department
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
Wrought iron is known as a material of antiquity, with archaeological evidence of production dating back approximately 5000 years. Around the turn of the twentieth century, wrought iron was produced by a transient liquid phase processing method, known as puddling. The present work discusses the historical process of puddling to produce wrought iron and relates effects of this process on the microstructure. Microstructure analysis and mechanical testing were performed on a wrought iron, boiler stay-bolt from a steam locomotive built in the early twentieth century. State-of-the-art characterization techniques revealed the composition, anisotropic microstructure, and chemical distribution in the ferrite and slag. Mechanical testing and fracture analysis indicated anisotropic mechanical performance reflecting the microstructure and processing technology used to produce the wrought iron.
Publication Title
Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis
Recommended Citation
Smith, R.,
Euser, V.,
Thrun, M.,
Harvey, M.,
&
Mueller, J.
(2025).
Microstructure, Processing, and Properties of Early Twentieth Century Wrought Iron.
Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis.
http://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-025-01207-0
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p2/1710