Question

What is the difference between steel and wrought iron?

Answer

Steel is made of iron with up to about 2.2 percent carbon. Typical mild steel used in common fabrications contains about 0.2 percent carbon. Modern steel is produced in a fluid condition that provides for the separation of the slag. The lower production temperature of historic wrought iron does not fully remove slag. Hammering this material in the finishing stages of production squeezes out much of the slag and welds and elongates both the metal granules and the remaining slag into wrought iron. Slag inclusions give a subtle grain to true wrought iron. Together with the absence of carbon, this grain contributes to the particular working characteristics and reduced susceptibility to corrosion of wrought iron as compared to mild steel.