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.
