The main component of wrought iron is elemental iron, with a small amount (1-2%) of slag added (a by-product from iron ore smelting that is a mixture of sulfur, silicon, phosphorus and aluminium oxides). The material is heated repeatedly and then deformed with tools.
The wrought iron’s fibrous texture is due to its malleability. It can be heated and reheated and then shaped into different shapes. Cast iron is harder and less ductile than wrought iron because it contains less carbon. It is highly resistant to fatigue. If large amounts of force are applied, the iron will deform a lot before it fails.
The term “wrought-iron” is misused in today’s world. It is used to describe pieces that are similar to historic wrought-iron pieces, regardless of the metal. Mild steel, cast iron and pieces of steel that have been painted in black or machine bent into shape while cold are often mislabeled as wrought-iron work. A metal piece can only be called wrought iron if it has been forged by a skilled blacksmith, who will heat it up and then hammer it into shape. For Metal Balustrades, visit https://donkeywellforge.co.uk/what-we-make/metal-handrails-balustrades/
In the Anatolian Peninsula (now Turkey), wrought iron was first used around 2000 BC. It was also widely used for construction in the 19th Century. In the 20th century, advances in metallurgy made it cheaper and easier to weld and machine-form metal parts. Blacksmithing was a time-consuming and expensive process, which led to its widespread commercialisation in the 1970s. Most wrought iron pieces are antiques, or special pieces made by local artisans.
