Waiting for the arrival of chromite ore (to make refractory bricks), laying the furnace liner, and the most critical baking and hardening furnace, which should have been completed in July, were postponed to August. .
After a long time, Klavasen found time to complete the second wooden centrifugal blower, and his main task of making clay molds for casting was successfully completed.
It was a mold assembly consisting of two molds. It was fired from fine clay and mixed with lime and zircon powder. It was smoldering in the fire for two days. , and finally became a very hard ceramic mold.
It can be said that in order to meet the needs of Clavarson, the potters of the Ross tribe finally had the intention to make more advanced pottery.
General daily pottery is just a matter of burning clay. The black pottery and brown pottery produced are suitable for daily use.
Potters have long known that adding some mineral powder to clay can greatly improve the performance of pottery. However, the result of this is that the cost has soared, and its selling price will naturally increase. For a long time, there has been a lack of consumers for higher pottery prices. Now that Klavasen has paid for it out of his own pocket, the skills everyone has hidden in their hearts have finally been put to use.
It wasn’t just the hard clay mold needed to cast the hemispherical cauldron that was fired.
Smoldering in the charcoal fire were as many as four sets of molds for casting ax heads.
Potters will join forces with blacksmiths. They will first cast the incredible pig iron as if it were cast like bronze. The only thing to note is that the temperature of the molten iron is higher.
So, apart from the slight difference in temperature, is there a big difference in the craftsmanship between the two?
Even Klavasen has never done pig iron casting, and his knowledge is all guesswork.
Let’s just follow the pattern of casting bronze. Maybe as long as the mold is made stronger, everything will be fine.
They made molds according to the pattern of casting bronze axes. One mold can cast four ax blades.
Times have changed. In today’s era, no one pursues a bronze ax anymore. The reason why the Russians no longer pursue it is that the cost of the material is really high, and the second is that it is an ordinary piece of metal. The iron ax head made by smelting iron has the same performance as the bronze axe.
Especially in the current era of technological innovation, carbon steel axes with quenching and carburizing processes are already available, which makes the previous tools seem to be too poor.
After all, the purpose of pouring molten iron is to obtain iron tools more efficiently.
But from the beginning, Klavasen ignored Rurik’s teachings on carbon ratios.
He felt that there was not much difference in essence between cast iron and forged iron. He thought that if he worked hard to produce axes and swords, it would be better to cast them directly. Perhaps only after experiencing a real failure could he realize that pig iron, wrought iron and steel are essentially similar but also fundamentally different.
But it’s just castingAn ax blade tied to a wooden stick. This kind of ax is suitable for use as a daily tool or a weapon in battle. At least it's enough for enemies wearing only animal skins.
A total of five sets of molds have been fired and they have become hard.
They are indeed hard, and their resistance to the erosion of molten pig iron is still a bit worrying. The only good thing is that no one thinks that these molds can be used a second time.
In the minds of potters and blacksmiths, the mold that can be used many times is probably the iron mold. It is an expensive treasure and its use is limited to the casting of bronze utensils.
To make larger bronze castings, the Russians have always used disposable molds. After the casting is completed, they are naturally cooled. The way to take out the castings is to smash the molds with a sledgehammer.
Now that the pig iron casting is planned, no matter how hard the mold is made, it cannot avoid the fate of being smashed.
Fortunately, the broken pieces are mixed with new clay and can be reshaped into new molds in the fire.
No one could see its prospects clearly before the casting took place.
Even Rurik, when all these molds were moved to the stove and moved to the exit of the hardened pottery tap trough, when he saw these well-made molds, he first praised them and then asked After getting the materials to use, I was a little worried.
Rurik’s biggest worry was that he was afraid that the hot molten iron would melt through the mold.
He grabbed his hair and asked Klavasen: "Maybe you should add some chrome ore powder to the mold to make it more resistant to high temperatures."
" Oh, my lord, this is the best mold that brothers can make. When the new mold is made, I will try it according to your plan."
After that, the people behind Klavason said. The potters all laughed.
Rurik looked at them and nodded with satisfaction: "I thought that you, Klavassen, could complete the casting. Now it seems that I must unite all the potters."
p>Klavasen, who smelled something different, hurriedly said: "Sir, if you want to cast on a large scale, you must rely on their strength. And I, I am weak."
"That's true."
For a long time, Rurik's most concerned people were blacksmiths, shipbuilders and carpenters. It seems that the potter's work was limited to making cooking utensils and other cheap containers, and he was ignored by himself.
Rurik hurriedly asked the names of all six potters, confirmed their family addresses in the tribe, and nodded silently to remember them in his heart.
He composed himself: "It seems that future work will really require the cooperation of blacksmiths and potters."
"Indeed. They can make the best clay molds, and I The family is responsible for the smelting."
Klavason said a lot of nonsense. In fact, he just hoped that he would not take on other jobs too much, because he was specialized in the art.
"It seems that I do have a lot of work for you. Rurik put his hands on his waist and called the potter to his side, "Let's do this." From now on, pottery making and iron smelting will be combined, and you people will specialize in making the pottery molds I need. As for the price, I will pay according to the usual rules. Rurik also said that he would not default on wages.
Usually, the potters of the Rus tribe sell their products, and most of the time they price based on weight. In order to sell more, Of course they can make the pottery small and heavy, but even then the buyer will realize that he will be deceived.
Both buyers and sellers are smart people, so the weight of the set of pottery within the tribe is exchanged in equal proportions. In silver coin and copper coin mode, it exists relatively steadily.
A huge furnace that is burned black gives a sense of oppression to everyone who approaches it.
Rurik always pays attention. Those potters' eyes occasionally tremble, they are looking at the blast furnace!
"Oh, it seems that the opportunity is ripe. Klavasen, you came with the molds and we were finally able to start working. ”
“Of course. There is a second blower that has not been moved out yet. "Klavasen added enthusiastically.
This old guy has always been particularly interested in the smelting process. Obviously, he is now eager to become a witness to the miracle immediately.
"Then Let’s get started! ”
Rurik announced a great start. He clapped his hands vigorously and shouted slogans.
The first to take action were people like Kamne. Child, after a while, Kawei, who was holding the blower together with the mercenary captain Yevluo, finally walked out of the house.
At the same time, a group of mercenaries became the cheapest labor force. The compact linen shirts ignored the toner-stained blue-gray clothes and they didn't mind it, because the clothes would soon become soaked with sweat, and everyone would almost certainly end up shirtless.
Yes. The mercenaries were on the steps next to the blast furnace, taking the bundled charcoal blocks handed over by their companions, or simply throwing a bundle of firewood into the furnace.
There were also mercenaries who were inspecting the closed slag. Whether the clay at the taphole and taphole is properly filled
The slag tapout is designed at a higher position, and the drainage channel is also at a higher position.
Only the taphole, It is at the bottom of the furnace, with a sloping hole leading from the bottom of the furnace for the molten iron to flow out. The molten iron will flow into the clay-fired drainage trough, and finally a clay crucible will receive it, or it will be directly channeled into a mold for casting.
It took them nearly half a day to stuff a large amount of firewood and charcoal into the stove.
It was almost evening, and Kawei handed over a fire. Rurik standing on the top step
“Dear, throw it in and light the stove. ”
“Okay! When the stove is hot we put the ore. "After that, Rurik glanced at the ordinary hematite and magnetite piled on the ground like a hill.
At the same timeAt that time, hundreds of people gathered around the huge stove, including Rurik's mother and his future wives and concubines.
Seeing that his friend was a little hesitant, Kawei shouted one last time: "Rurik, throw it away!"
There was nothing to hesitate about.
Rurik’s little hand loosened and the torch disappeared into the stove.
At this moment, two centrifugal blowers that had been on standby, controlled by strong mercenaries, began to spray strong airflow into the furnace.
In the dark furnace, a solitary fire took some time to ignite the carbon wood. However, the influx of fresh air was too strong, and the carbon firewood was igniting quickly.
At first it was just some green smoke, but the smoke became thicker and thicker. The strong smell of burning wood forced Rurik to cover his mouth and nose and retreat from the steps.
Not long after he came down, he turned around suddenly amid the cheers of everyone, and saw the red flame, just like the magnificent tail flame of a jet fighter, it was spurting out powerfully. Perhaps the only thing that made him unhappy was that the flame was red.
"That's great. We succeeded?" Klavasen's impatient look left Rurik speechless.
"Where did we succeed?"
"Look! The stove is burning."
"No!" Rurik shook his head vigorously , "What does this mean? It's just the beginning."
Klavason and his allies were filled with enthusiastic smiles. "Okay, my friend. When will we put in the ore?"
"When?" Rurik held his chin and thought for a moment, then said suddenly: "We can't expect to put in fresh fish. Put it on the fire for a blink of an eye, and you can expect the fish to be fragrant and oily. You know what I mean? When it turns into a yellow fire, add the ore."
"Okay! I hope I can see molten iron soon."
"Forget it, we have to smelt a lot of ore this time, and a lot of molten iron will flow out in the end! Can you The casting mold provided is not enough."
"Huh?" Klavason was shocked, "Maybe we should put less ore for safety's sake."
"No. Don't worry about it collapsing. It's me! I'm the one who guided you to make the new stove. It won't collapse on the first use." Rurik's attitude became very determined. It pointed to the pile of ore that was nearly as tall as itself, "Since we have brought them here, let's smelt them with all our strength!"
"But if there is too much molten iron, just let it flow freely. Condensation on the ground? We don't have enough molds."
"It doesn't matter."
Rurik not only said this, but his attitude and actions showed his attitude.
"Ah. If we do this, wouldn't it be a serious waste? Hell, if it doesn't work, let's just make a simple mold now. Even if the quality is not good, at leastGuaranteed tool shape after casting. ”
“Oh? "Rurik was a little surprised. He thought for a while. If Klavason and the potters took advantage of the fact that the molten iron had not yet been smelted and spent two or three days firing a batch of clay molds, even those of poor quality, they would not be affected by the erosion of the molten iron. The impact is serious, and I am afraid that the shape of the castings can still be guaranteed to a great extent.
After all, in this era, there are no excessive technical requirements for castings, but they are just used as production tools, such as commonly used drafts and castings. For an ax or a shovel, people don’t want it to be exquisitely made, but only for practicality and cost-effectiveness.
In fact, the problem that Rurik had in mind was not how to ensure the tap hole in the first place. A one-stop process from opening to completion of casting.
Pig iron is pig iron. Even if it solidifies on the ground, it is still pig iron. Even if there are some small sand and stones attached, a few contaminants will eventually be produced after secondary processing. It turns into gas or flowing slag.
Rurik knows that the purpose of the Klavashen family and other blacksmith families is to stockpile sponge iron in order to have enough primary materials for subsequent blacksmithing.
There were only five Ross blacksmith families, and they had the habit of forming treaties with each other and became a rudimentary and primitive blacksmith guild.
As long as conditions permit, they will not hesitate to process the iron on hand into low carbon steel, so that the southern merchants who come to Roseburg like migratory birds every year can buy the steel tools and weapons on hand at high prices.
< p>To process iron into steel, you need to use some processes to control the internal carbon ratio to an appropriate level.Smelting a large amount of molten pig iron to condense it into white iron ingots. Use this as a different kind of stocking up.
As long as the tribesmen are not picky, the cast white iron can be used as farm tools.
But here in Rurik, he only wants to use it. These iron ingots were smashed into finger-sized pieces and placed in a traditional furnace for long-term baking at about 900°C. A large number of small iron ingots were constantly turned over by the tongs. Their carbon content was rapidly reduced, and finally they merged with each other to form It looks like a huge hot iron weight being fished out to be forged.
This is the method of frying steel, which Rurik believes can be achieved in the Ross tribe and has the highest speed and cost-effectiveness in producing low-carbon steel. Method.
Ryurik has no intention of telling Klavasen about his plan to make low-carbon steel by frying steel, and he can't force this old guy and other blacksmiths to realize it instantly.
If the furnace is lit, it would take half a day for it to burn enough to melt pig iron, which is a bit of a fantasy.