Wrought Iron Casting

Wrought Iron Casting refers to the process invented by P. Ostberg for producing malleable iron castings by melting wrought iron. In this process 0.05 to 0.1 percent of aluminum is added to lower the melting point of the molten metal and for keeping it at the bubbling point. After that, the quiet molten metal is poured into a mold lined with a special mixture consisting essentially molasses and ground burnt fire clay. This process is carried in a petroleum furnace and the casting made by this process is called Wrought Iron Casting.
As a result of the advent of this casting method in the mid 18th century for the first time wrought iron goods were manufactured in a controlled production environment; they had come out of the forge and into the factory. The casting process enabled the manufacturers to produce a stylized product and offer a choice of designs. By the middle of the next century more sophisticated casting methods allowed further expansion of the ranges available and, not surprisingly, demand of wrought iron products from architects and builders increased considerably. Gradually, this cast metal acquired universal appeal and an impressive portfolio of uses.