Iron has been used as an artefact in human civilisations. Throughout history, Iron Age people have been proficient in smelting and working iron, so much so that it was a prominent material in ancient Greece and Rome.
However, in the modern day, it is not only industrially and commercially used, but also made use of for artwork and tools. This makes it apparent why it is so desirable for people to learn about the process of smelting iron.
The practice of smelting iron consists of several steps and requires patience, as there is still a variety of ways to go about it. First, one will need the raw materials. This can be ferrous ore which was mined, or post-consumer scrap iron which was collected and prepared.
Next, the ore must be heated to critical temperatures, usually referred to as the smelting point, at which the particles of the ore begin to be broken apart and the chemical reactions can take place. The common process for heating the ore is called a blast furnace. This method involves burning a special fuel in a large, sealed chamber at a constant temperature, allowing the ore to be melted.
Once the ore has been melted, the metal which has been extracted can then be valued and forged. This can be done by pouring the liquid metal into crucible pans; shallow containers which resemble clay dishes made of a refractory material such as graphite or clay, or by using sophisticated tools such as a cupola furnace.
The reason some people choose to do their own smelting is because it gives them the opportunity to customise metal products such as tools and artwork. Home-smelting, however, is a difficult yet exciting task, and requires the use of specialised safety gear. Additionally, home-smelting is only legal in certain areas.
In any case, smelting iron remains a crucial part of our lives. It is thus important to fully understand the process and to develop the skills necessary to smelt it in the correct and safe way. With patience and dedication, one can make the most out of this amazing resource and create wonderful products that are useful and aesthetic.
