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Iron
1.3-30 usd/kg
Iron is a valuable modern engineering material that, in the past, played an import role in the development of architecture and industry. Wrought iron, which is now largely only used for decorative purposes, allowed for longer uninterrupted structures in architecture, as well as elegant detailing that was not practical with other materials of the time. In structural applications, wrought iron has been replaced by steel, which is tougher and stronger.
Cast iron, on the other hand, offers many advantages over steel and other metals when it comes to endurance and dampening, especially in complex castings and large structural components. These three metals are primarily distinguished by their carbon content. Wrought iron contains almost no carbon (<0.035%), cast iron between 2-4% and steel between 0.06-2%. Alloys are mixed with cast iron and steel to further enhance mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. And this opens up opportunities for heat treatment to refine strength and hardness.
Sustainability concerns
Non-renewable ingredients
Raw material generates polluting by-products
Wrought iron is almost pure Fe. Dark grey in colour, it is relatively soft and ductile, and becomes stronger and harder as it is worked. This is as a result of hammering the iron, which causes the iron particles to fuse together and the slag to be expelled. It was usually made by smelting pig iron (crude iron) in an oxidising environment to burn the free carbon and produce iron. The surface is rough and vulnerable to pitting and general corrosion as a result of the small amount of slag left in the structure.
In the past it was used a great deal in architecture, for structural members in tension, such as roof I-beams and H-beams. Recognisable examples include many train stations, bridges, libraries and other public buildings, The Michael (Mikhailovsky) Garden in Saint Petersburg, Eiffel Tower in Paris and Bradbury Building in Los Angeles.
It has since been superseded entirely by steel for structural applications. Even though it has superior corrosion resistance to mild steel, it is not as tough, strong or stiff. Nowadays it is still used to make decorative architectural wares, such as fences, gates and railings, roof crests and porches. It is also used for products, lamps, grilles and general hardware.
