What combination of elements make up wrought iron?

Wrought iron is primarily composed of iron, with a few other elements contributing to its properties. Here’s a typical composition breakdown:

1. Iron (Fe): 

The main component, usually making up about 99% or more of the material.

2. Carbon (C): 

Wrought iron has a very low carbon content, typically less than 0.08%. This low carbon level is one of the reasons it is more malleable and ductile compared to higher carbon steels.

3. Slag: 

This is a byproduct from the manufacturing process and usually accounts for about 1-2% of the composition. It consists of iron silicates and contributes to the unique fibrous structure of wrought iron.

4. Other Trace Elements: 

Wrought iron may contain small amounts of other elements such as phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and manganese, which can influence its mechanical properties but are present in very low quantities.

The overall composition gives wrought iron its desirable characteristics, including high ductility, malleability, and resistance to corrosion, though modern applications often use mild steel as a substitute.



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