Quick and hopefully easy question from a noob

H

HPLovecraft

Joined
Nov 29, 2015
Messages
2
Hello all! To start, I'd like to say I have very little experience in forging, but I have a considerable experience in machining and fabrication.....Most every question I've had I've been able to answer by searching the forums, with the exception of one and I hope it's fairly simple....
If I were making an ingot from raw iron and carbon in a blast furnace, what would I construct the crucible from? Is there a type of high temperature clay made for this? Would some type of high density ceramic work? Thanks in advance!-
HPL
 
Not sure if the link will answer your question about actual crucible construction for steel pours, my link above relates to purchased crucibles but is a good place to start. Many people build crucibles for the lower melting point metals, pretty easy. Not many examples that I know of for home-made open top crucibles for iron. Wootz is made inside single use sealed clay "packs" that are shop built, sounds fun but drawing out the steel by hand would be a two man job without a power hammer. If you are looking to make a custom steel from iron and carbon, wootz process is what you are looking for. Mild steel plus cast iron and some flux makes high carbon. Throw in something like an austenitic golf club head or drill bits or files and you can make one shot alloy steels with right mixture. Maybe....

You might also be interested in bloomery furnaces, then you can make your own iron.

So far as high temp materials, kaolin is pretty good but at high temps iron eats stuff up. Some alloy steels have a greatly increased melting point, not sure about use ad crucibles.

sorry I cannot help more, Matt
 
Last edited:
Forgot to mention blister steel and Japanese processes for high carbon, maybe another member can help there, know very little on these subjects. Blister steel was made from iron for cutting edges in laminate blades.
 
Thanks Matt! Between your replies and the link, you answered most of my questions. One of the main problems with being a noob about any subject is, I often don't even know the right questions to ask, so any resource will help steer me in the right direction. Thanks for your time!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top