Aug 13 2013
Topics Covered
Introduction
Chemical Composition
Physical Properties
Mechanical Properties
Applications
Introduction
Wrought iron is an iron alloy with very low carbon content with respect to cast iron. It is soft, ductile, magnetic, and has high elasticity and tensile strength. It can be heated and reheated and worked into various shapes.
Although wrought iron exhibits properties that are not found in other forms of ferrous metal, it lacks the carbon content necessary for hardening through heat treatment. Wrought iron may be welded in the same manner as mild steel, but the presence of oxides or inclusions will provide defective results.
The following sections will discuss wrought iron in more detail.
Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of wrought iron is outlined in the following table.
| Element |
Content (%) |
| Iron, Fe |
99-99.8 |
| Carbon, C |
0.05-0.25 |
| Phosphorus, P |
0.05-0.2 |
| Silicon, Si |
0.02-0.2 |
| Sulfur, S |
0.02-0.1 |
| Manganese, Mn |
0.01-0.1 |
Physical Properties
The following table shows the physical properties of wrought iron.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Density |
7.7 g/cm3 |
0.278 lb/in3 |
| Melting point |
1540°C |
2800°F |
Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of wrought iron are displayed in the following table.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Tensile strength |
234-372 MPa |
34000-54000 psi |
| Yield strength |
159-221 MPa |
23000-32000 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity |
193100 MPa |
28000 ksi |
Applications
The following are the list of applications of wrought iron:
- Decorative items such as railings, outdoor stairs, fences and gates
- Nuts and bolts
- Handrails.