Wrought iron

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/wrought-iron

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the chemical composition?Iron with a low carbon content (<0.08%) and significant slag inclusions (1-2%)
2. What is the mechanical properties?High tensile strength, excellent toughness, ductility, and malleability; good corrosion resistance
3. What is wrought iron and why is it called bendy metal?Wrought iron is a strong metal that has a fibrous structure, making it easy to bend and shape. Its low carbon content keeps it soft enough for blacksmiths to hammer into different shapes.
4. How does wrought iron stay strong and not break when bent?The fibrous structure and slag inclusions give it toughness and ductility, so it can be twisted or forged without cracking.

Bloomery: An early type of furnace used for smelting iron ore directly into wrought iron.
Slag Inclusions: Non-metallic impurities, primarily silicates, trapped within the iron matrix during smelting.
Tensile Strength: The maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before breaking.
Patina: A surface layer that forms on iron or bronze over time, often due to oxidation, which can protect the underlying material.