tatara

[John A Stuart]

Hi All, I need some info about the tatara. What is the flux used in the tatara to lower the melting point of the silica components of the iron sand? When the slag is poured is there traces of cast iron besides the steel bloom? I also need the chemical composition of the bloom. I had this at one time but it has been lost in a computer crash. Thank you. John

[Nobody]

These pages about tatara might be helpful.

Ref. http://www.hitachi-metals.co.jp/e/tatara/nnp020609.htm

[John A Stuart]

Thanks Moriyama san, I have that. I'm looking for more technical data. I've heard about bloomeries producing both sponge steel and cast iron and need to know more. Apparently it has to due with the temperatures reached within the furnace. In the Hitachi article it does mention production of pig iron. I also am curious if there are agents besides charcoal and iron sands in the mangue. These may be trade secrets. John

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

John, something useful for you might be found in an article I've on my website. Please download and check "Control of inclusions in Japanese ancient iron and steel making" here.

The "Tamahagane" PDF file should be interesting.

[John A Stuart]

Thank you. That is the one I lost. I forgot it was on your site. John

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

John, just added to my site some animations of what happens to the blade during Yakiire from Tatsuo Inoue's work.

 

If interested, please check here.

[John A Stuart]

Very interesting Carlo, especially the one showing where the greatest stress occurs. Thank you, John

[bluboxer]

Hello John,

I also have been doing some investigations on tatara smelting and have a couple of very enlightening PDF's.

One is titled Smelting to Steel by the Japanese Tatara Process written in 1989 in the journal Archeomaterials.

The other paper is brand new(just a few months ago) and deals with analyzing the slags from old tatara to determine conditions.

I believe all three products are present in the kera.Cast on the bottom, steel in the center and wrought on the top.

I also have an article titled History of iron sand smelting that I am trying to find someone to translate from Japanese.

If you pm me I will email you the pdf's.

Alan