Chapter 321： The first blast furnace of the Rus tribe is officially ignited

Waiting for the arrival of the chromite ore (for refractory bricks), laying the furnace liner, and the most critical baking hardening furnace, should have been expected to be done in July, but it was delayed until August.

It was a long time, and Kravasson took time to complete the second wooden centrifugal blower, and his main task of making the clay molds for casting was also successfully completed.

It is a mold composed of two molds. It is fired from the best clay and mixed with lime and zircon powder. It smoldered in the fire for two days and finally became a very hard texture. Pottery molds.

It can be said that in order to meet the needs of Kravassen, the potters of the Ross tribe finally have the will to make more advanced pottery.

The general life pottery is just burning clay, and the black pottery and brown pottery that are fired are suitable for daily use.

The potter has long known that adding some mineral powder to the clay can greatly improve the performance of the pottery. However, the result of this is that the cost will soar, and the price will naturally rise. For a long time, the high price of pottery has been lacking consumers. Since Clavasson came out of his own pocket, the technology that everyone has hidden in their hearts has finally come into use.

It is not just the hard pottery mold that needs to be cast in a hemispherical cauldron that is fired.

At the same time, there are as many as four sets of molds for casting axe heads in the coal fire.

The pottery will join hands with the blacksmiths. At the beginning, they cast the incredible pig iron as if it were cast in bronze. The only thing to note is that the temperature of the molten iron is higher.

So, apart from the slight surprise in temperature, is there a big difference between the two processes?

Even if it is Clavasson, he has never done pig iron casting, and he is full of speculations in his cognition.

Let's just follow the pattern of casting bronzes for the time being, maybe as long as the mold is made stronger, everything will be fine.

They made the mold according to the pattern of casting bronze axe, and one mold can cast four axe pieces.

The times have changed. In today's era, no one is pursuing a bronze axe anymore. The reason why the Ross people no longer pursue it is that the cost of materials is really high, and the other is that the iron axe is made from ordinary iron. Comparable with the performance of the bronze axe.

Especially at the moment of technological innovation, the carbon steel axe with the quenching and carburizing process already exists, and it seems that the tools in the past are too bad.

After all, molten iron casting is to obtain ironware more efficiently.

But from the very beginning, Kravasson ignored Rurik’s teachings on carbon ratios.

He felt that cast iron and wrought iron were not much different in essence, thinking that he sweated like rain to produce axes and swords, it would be better to cast directly. Perhaps only after experiencing a real failure can he realize that pig iron, wrought iron and steel are essentially similar and different in nature.

But just for casting axe pieces that can be tied to a wooden stick, such an axe can actually be used as a daily tool or a weapon in battle. At least for enemies with only animal skins, it is completely enough.

A total of five sets of molds received the completed firing, and they became a hard existence.

They are indeed hard, and their resistance to the ablation of cast iron is still a bit worrying. The only good news is that no one thinks that these molds can be used a second time.

In the hearts 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 Ross people have always used disposable molds. After casting, they are naturally cooled and the method to take out the castings is to smash the molds with a sledgehammer.

Now the planned pig iron casting and the laboriously crafted mold can not avoid a fate of being crushed.

Fortunately, the shreds can be mixed with new clay and can be reshaped into new molds in the fire.

Before the casting took place, no one could see its prospects clearly.

Even if it was Rurik, when all these molds were transported to the furnace and to the exit of the hardened pottery casting trough, he saw these well-made molds and was first praised. After asking about the materials used, he also got some praise. A little worried.

Rurik's biggest worry is that he is afraid that the hot molten iron will melt through the mold.

He grabbed his hair and asked Clavasson: "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 brothers can make. When a brand new mold is made, I will try it according to your plan."

After all, the potters behind Kravasson all laughed.

Rurik looked at them and nodded in satisfaction: "I thought that the casting would be done by you Clavasson. Now it seems that I must unite all the potters."

Klavasen, who smelled a different breath, said hurriedly: "My lord, if you want to cast on a large scale, you must rely on their power. And I, I am weak."

"That's true."

For a long time, Rurik has paid the most attention to blacksmiths, boat builders and carpenters. It seems that the work of the potter is limited to making cookware and other cheap containers, which leads to being ignored by myself.

Rurik hurriedly inquired the names of all six potters, confirmed the addresses of their families in the tribe, silently nodded and remembered them in his heart.

He settled down: "It seems that the future work really needs the union of the blacksmith and the potter."

"Indeed. They can make the best clay molds, and my family is responsible for the smelting."

Cravason said a lot of nonsense. In fact, he just hoped that he would not take part in other jobs too much, because there is a specialization in the field of surgery.

"It seems that I do have a lot of work for you." Rurik pinched his waist and called the potter to his side, "Let's do it. In the future, pottery and iron smelting will form a union, and you people will make the pottery I need full-time. Molds. As for the price, I will pay according to the usual rules." Ruriek also added that he would not be in arrears.

Usually the potters of the Ross tribe sell their products, most of the time they are priced by weight. In order to sell more prices, they can of course make the pottery small and heavy, and even after doing so, the buyer will realize that they will be cheated.

Both buyers and sellers are savvy people, so the weight of this set of pottery within the tribe is exchanged for silver and copper coins in equal proportions, and it exists relatively firmly.

A huge furnace that was burnt black gave all those who approached it a sense of oppression.

Rurik often noticed the occasional trembling eyes of the potters, they were looking at the blast furnace!

"Oh, it seems that the opportunity is ripe. Clavasson, you came with the mold, and we can finally start working."

"Of course. There is also a second blower, which has not been moved out yet." Kravasson added enthusiastically.

This old guy has always been particularly concerned about the time of smelting, obviously he is now a person who desires to be a miracle immediately.

"Then let's start!"

Rurik announced a great start. He slapped his hands vigorously and shouted.

The first thing to take action was a child like Kamnier. After a while, Kawei, who was holding the blower together with the mercenary captain Jevlo, finally walked out of the house.

At the same time, a group of mercenaries became the cheapest labor. They wore simple and compact linen shirts, ignoring that the blue-gray clothes were dyed with toner. They are not too dirty, because the clothes will soon be soaked in sweat, and everyone is almost destined to end up shirtless.

There are mercenaries on the steps next to the blast furnace, taking the bundled charcoal blocks handed over by their companions in turn, or simply throwing a bundle of wood into the furnace.

There are also mercenaries who are checking whether the clay that has closed the **** tap and the iron tap is properly landfilled.

The **** outlet is designed at a higher position, and the position of the drainage groove is also higher.

Only the tap hole, which is at the bottom of the furnace, has an inclined hole leading from the bottom of the furnace for the cast iron to flow out. The molten iron will flow into the drainage trough made of clay, and finally there will be a clay crucible to accept it, or it can be directly drained like a mold for casting.

It took them nearly half a day to stuff a large amount of wood and charcoal into the stove.

It was almost evening again, and Kawei handed a fire to Rurik who was standing on the highest steps.

"Honey, throw it in and light the stove."

"Okay! Let's put the ore when the stove is hot." After that, Rurik glanced at the hill-like ordinary hematite and magnetite piled on the ground.

At the same time, hundreds of people gathered around the huge stove, and even Rurik's mother and his future wives and concubines came here admiringly.

I saw my friend hesitate, Kawei shouted at the last: "Rurik, throw it away!"

There is nothing to hesitate.

Rurik let go of his little hand and the torch sank into the stove.

At this moment, the two centrifugal blowers that were already on standby, under the control of strong mercenaries, began to spray strong airflow into the furnace.

In the dark furnace, a lonely fire took a while to ignite the charcoal. However, the influx of fresh air is too strong, and the carbon diesel is rapidly igniting.

At the beginning, it was just some green smoke, and the smoke became more and more dense. The strong burning smell of wood forced Rülik to cover his mouth and nose and remove him from the steps.

Soon after he got down, he turned his head amidst the cheers of everyone, and saw the red flame, just like the magnificent tail flame of a jet fighter, which was gushing vigorously. I'm afraid the only thing that makes him unhappy is that the flame is red.

"It's great. We succeeded?" Clavason couldn't wait to make Rurik speechless.

"Where did we succeed?"

"Look! The stove, it's burning."

"No!" Rurik shook his head vigorously. "What does this mean? It's just the beginning."

Cravason and his allies had warm smiles. "Well, my friend. When shall we put the ore?"

"When?" Rurik pinched his chin and said suddenly: "We can't expect to put fresh fish on the fire and broil for a blink of an eye, and expect the fragrance of the fish to be roasted. You know. I mean? That's the flame! When it turns into a yellow fire, put in the ore."

"Good Le! I hope I can see the molten iron soon."

"Forget it, this time we are going to smelt a lot of ore, and finally a lot of molten iron will flow out! The casting mold you can provide is not enough."

"Ah?!" Cravason was taken aback, "This...maybe we should put some ore less for safety. I'm afraid it will collapse again."

"No. Don't worry about it collapsing. It's me! It's the new stove I instructed you to make. It won't collapse on the first use." Rurik's attitude became very determined, and he pointed to the pile that was close to himself. The tall ore pile, "Since they are all carried here, let's smelt them desperately!"

"But if there is too much molten iron, you just let it flow and condense on the ground? We don't have enough molds."

"It doesn't matter."

Not only did Rurik say that, his demeanor and actions showed his attitude.

"Ah. If we do this, wouldn't it be a serious waste? Hell, it's impossible. We will make a simple mold now, even if it is not of good quality, at least the shape of the tool after casting will be guaranteed."

"Oh?" Rurik was a little surprised. He thought for a while. If Clavassen and the potters now took advantage of the fact that the molten iron had not yet been smelted, they would burn a batch of even poor quality clay molds in two or three days. The erosion effect of molten iron is serious, and I am afraid it can still guarantee the shape of castings to a great extent.

After all, in this era, there are not too many technical requirements for castings, but they are used as production tools, such as commonly used drafts and axes, or shovel. People do not ask for its exquisite production, but only for practicality and cost-effectiveness.

In fact, the problem that Rurik thought of was not how to ensure the one-stop work from the opening of the taphole to the completion of casting in the first place.

Pig iron is pig iron, even if it solidifies on the ground, it is still pig iron. Even if some small sands are attached, a small amount of pollutants will eventually become gas or flowing **** after secondary processing.

Rurik knew that the purpose of other blacksmith families in the Clavasson family was to stock up sponge iron in order to have enough primary materials for subsequent ironing.

There were originally only five blacksmiths in the Ross family. They also signed treaties with each other and became a rudimentary blacksmith's guild. Their process has already been upgraded to the level of processing low-carbon steel.

As long as conditions permit, they will not hesitate to process their iron into low-carbon steel, so that the southern merchants who enter Roseburg every year like migratory birds can buy their steel tools and weapons at high prices~www.novelhall.com ~ To process iron into steel, it is itself a process to control the internal carbon ratio to an appropriate level.

A large amount of pig iron is smelted to condense it into iron ingots of white iron, which is an alternative stock.

As long as the people are not picky, the cast white iron can also be used as farm tools.

But here at Rurik, he just wanted to smash these iron ingots into finger-sized lumps, and put them in a traditional stove for long-term roasting at about 900°C. A large number of small iron ingots were constantly turned over by the tongs. The carbon content quickly decreased, and finally merged with each other, and was fished out in the form of a huge hot iron mound to be forged.

This is a steel-making method, which Rurik thinks can be achieved in the Rus tribe, and it is the most cost-effective method for manufacturing low-carbon steel.

For the time being, Rick had no intention of telling Clavasson about his plan to implement the steel-frying method to make low-carbon steel, and he couldn't force this old guy and other blacksmiths to instantly open up their minds.

The stove is burning, expecting it to burn to the point where it can smelt pig iron in half a day. It's really idiotic.