About Low Carbon Steel
Background
From time immemorial blacksmiths have used wrought iron (smelted from ore and refined by puddling and shingling) in the construction of decorative ironwork. In the 1960s in the US and the 1970s in the UK, commercial wrought iron production ceased. In the US blacksmiths began using mild steel alloys 1018 and A36 in lieu of wrought iron. While the working properties of these alloys are serviceable, they are far harder than they need to be for practical ornamental use and resulting in more heats to achieve the desired result and in turn less definition in a finished piece. In addition to a carbon level above ideal, ASTM standards for A36 and 1018 contain higher levels of manganese, sulfur, and silicon which make forging welding (fusing parts under heat and pressure) far more difficult. While the entire smithing community in the US is primarily using A36 or 1018 as their primary material, in Europe and the UK smiths use a variety of steels with more desirable working properties. After appropriate research and consultation with experts in the fields of blacksmithing and metallurgy in the US, Europe and the UK, a group of advanced US based smiths determined that the optimal alloy regularly produced in the United States is 1006.
Properties & Advantages of 1006
Forging
1006 is softer and more ductile compared with hot rolled A36 mild steel. At the anvil and under the power hammer there is a noticeable difference in how easily the material moves. This in turn results in less wear and tear on your body and tools. Theoretically the ease of forging the material should also translate into efficiency as well creating increased productivity and cost saving in labor.
Increased ductility makes the material friendlier for students and beginners when isolating mass and working thin material so as not to stress the material to failure. Several craft schools have adopted this material already for their blacksmithing classes.
Surface
The surface finish of 1006 is smoother and more even. The material scales less in both gas and coal forges. It may be easily planished at a black heat. The "as forged" finish is finer and smoother than mild steel. 1006 appears similar to finely wrought historic works.
Forgewelding
The higher iron content produces a material with greater thermal conductivity. This results in longer heats and easier forgewelding. At the same time, the lower carbon content results in a higher melting point. 1006 forgewelds about 100ºF hotter than A36 and has a greater temperature window for welding. This is especially nice when doing complicated forge welds with small or thin pieces.
As Compared to Wrought Iron
1006 has no laminated grain that can split like with wrought iron. The material has no silica inclusion like wrought iron, and therefore it electrically welds similarly to other mild steels.
Yield Strength
The yield strength of hot rolled 1006 is approximately 2/3rds that of A36, and has nearly the same yield range as wrought iron.
About Heritage
Heritage Iron Company was founded in order to create supply chain availability of low carbon steel for blacksmiths for use in ornamental, decorative, and artistic forging. In order to make this material available it was necessary to conglomerate the demand of many smiths to create an order with enough volume to be acknowledged by specialty mill producers in the United States. Heritage was founded to fulfill this function and allow the material to thus become available to working smiths.
The owners of Heritage Iron are active smiths themselves who use this material in their own work. We believe in the importance of making this material available at a fair price so that everyone can make better work more easily.
Chemistry
There are several standard bodies which have a 1006 standard including ASTM, AISI, and SAE. Because American steel mills do not use a universal standard in production, and the 1006 designation can be a bit nebulous. However, 1006 generally refers to a carbon content in the steel of .06 percent.
General Specifications
Carbon: .05 – .08 (.06 targeted)
Manganese: ≤ .4
Sulfur: <.05
Silicon: ≤ .2 Other
Tramp Metals as little as possible
Note: Each heat lot we purchase will have a slightly different chemistry, which can be provided with your order upon request.
Disclaimer
Low carbon steel and pure iron are not intended for critical structural applications. This material is intended for decorative and ornamental forge work. The purchaser of this material accepts all legal liability related to the use of this material. If there is any question of the appropriateness of the use of this material, you should consult a licensed structural engineer.
Giving Back
Heritage Iron Company donates 15% of profits to the Historic Blacksmith Conservancy to help support traditional ironwork education and preservation.
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