Old wrought iron vs old steel?

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PaMtnBkr

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Dec 31, 2009
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I found a chunk of old iron or steel yesterday in an area that was last mined in the late 1800's but has had mining and timber operations that date to the late 1700's. It is Appx 7"x1.5x2" and is deeply pitted. Is there a way to tell if it is iron or steel? If it's iron I hope to use it for fittings someday? Thanks, Don
 
Perhaps the best test is to a piece 1/2 " dia or so , cut half way through , and bend it .WI will have a distinct fibrous structure.

Have you seen the new three wheel bike [two in the front ? ] It must be the THREE decade ! Motorcycles, bikes, engines [Ford and others].
 
Try the test above or an etch, a quick acid etch after cutting or sanding should show the fibrous pattern.

Wrought will usually not be deeply rusted from what I have seen.

I have seen a few pieces here at old mine sites but it is very hard to come across.
 
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Thanks guys, I'll give those ideas a try. BTW-Wouldn't a 3 wheeled bike be a trike even if the orientation was bass ackwards?
 
It will pit deeply over enough time of exposure, although the "rust" itself wont build up and flake like it will on steel.

It typically looks like old wood when deeply pitted. Long lines of pits. Post a pic and we may be able to tell.
 
Hi javand. Your description is exactly what it looks like. I'll try to get my daughter to take a pic for me tonight?
 
I have some triple puddle wrought that has very little patterning. The only way I can tell it is wrought is do the cut test like mete mentioned. Spark test is pretty easy to tell it has little to no carbon. Very short bushy sparks. It is best to get a known piece to compare with.
 
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