Mild Steel

Mild steel is the material most widely used by contemporary smiths. In an attempt to mass-produce wrought iron and by-pass the established hand puddling process, in 1856, Henry Bessemer discovered mild steel, a more strong and consistent material.

This iron contains about 0.25% carbon, is available in a wide range of sections and is produced by hot rolling which leaves an oxidized surface. It is 'mild' because of the small amount of carbon it contains. A relatively inexpensive metal, it is considered as a strong yet eminently workable material.

The properties of mild steel are similar to those of wrought iron but it is generally stronger and can be cast as well as rolled. However the material is more prone to corrosion than wrought iron, and in cases where durability and resistance to weathering were paramount, wrought iron holds its own position. It is less malleable and thus not so suitable for working into elegant, flowing shapes.

With its higher carbon content and greater hardness, the value of steel had been recognized since the earliest days of iron making. Nevertheless, it was slow to produce and expensive. The Bessemer process enabled large batch production, and by 1876, mild steel was cheaper than wrought iron, gradually replacing it.