Several different types of iron are used to make various products and materials, such as wrought iron entry doors, iron gates, iron railings, and so on. Depending on how blacksmiths work the raw iron, it can change its properties to make various types of iron, as follows:
#1: Cast Iron
Cast iron is made by smelting iron with carbon, silicon, and other metal alloys. Once the iron is heated and molten, it is poured into different casts and molds to create a wide array of different products, such as cast iron frying pans.
Different types of cast iron are made by using various processing methods and heating techniques, resulting in gray iron, white iron, ductile iron, and malleable iron.
#2: Wrought Iron
Wrought iron was one of the first iron metals created by blacksmiths. It is made by heating iron in a furnace until it reaches the desired temperature. Next, the blacksmith hammers and shapes the iron into various shapes, depending on the product being produced.
Wrought iron can be reheated as needed so it can be bent, shaped, and hammered more. Unlike other types of iron, wrought iron is mostly pure iron with very little carbon and other materials.
As a result, wrought iron is very durable. Its durability is what makes it perfect for wrought iron doors, gates, and railings. Furthermore, before steel was invented, wrought iron was a popular building material used for support beams. Today, wrought iron is mainly used for doors, gates, railings, and decorative purposes.
#3: White Iron
White iron is a type of cast iron. It is made by removing the graphite from the cast iron. The removal of the graphite is what gives white iron its white color. However, while white iron provides decent wear resistance, it is very brittle.
As such, it is not uncommon to use cast iron under the white iron, so the white iron is merely on the outside of the finished product. This can be achieved by quickly cooling the exterior surface of the iron and removing the graphite while allowing the interior area to cool much slower and solidify into cast iron.
#4: Gray Iron
Gray iron is another form of cast iron. It gets its color from the graphite in the iron that has been fractured. This iron metal is wear-resistant and has anti-corrosive properties. Gray iron is sometimes used for exterior applications in place of wrought iron.
#5: Ductile Iron
Ductile iron is also a different type of cast iron. It is made by adding magnesium to the cast iron alloy. The addition of magnesium causes a chemical reaction where the graphite will transform into a spherical shape instead of fracturing, as with gray iron. It is possible to make different grades of ductile iron by controlling the amount of magnesium added and the amount of heat applied during the manufacturing processes.
#6: Malleable Iron
Malleable iron is made by continuing to heat and cool white iron. By continuing to heat and cool the iron, it releases graphite molecules into the iron carbide. Malleable iron products have the ability to bend without breaking and offer a decent tensile strength. Uses of this iron include fence fittings, washers, pipe fittings, tools, farm equipment, machine parts, and electrical fittings.
The Future of the Different Types of Iron
These six different types of iron will continue to be used for various types of iron products. Iron provides the flexibility to change its composition to produce cast iron, various forms of cast iron, and wrought iron.
To find wrought iron gates, fences, railings, and doors for your home, please feel free to browse our online inventories. For further information about our customized wrought iron products, contact Universal Iron Doors at 818-771-1003 today!