The Rise and fall of the Iron and Steel Industry in Great Britain

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The Rise and fall of the Iron and Steel Industry in Great Britain. (Since 1800)

 

Iron and Steel was the most important industry in the Industrial Revolution and could not have happened without it. It was essential for mechanical and civil engineering, as well as domestic and civil uses. During the Iron Age wrought Iron was the most commonly produced form of iron which was formed by smelting it with charcoal (This contained 0.02– 0.08percent of Carbon in it.

 

In the mid-18th century, the iron industry was small-scale and centred on the Weald in Sussex and the Forest of Dean in South Wales. These areas contained plenty of woodlands to provide the charcoal needed in the smelting process. But the charcoal was running out, and half of Britain’s iron had to be imported from Sweden and Russia. The steel industry, which used Benjamin Huntsman’s "crucible" process, was also small-scale and centred on Sheffield. During the 18th century, there was a revolution in the production of iron, and in the 19th century, a revolution in the production of steel.

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During this time:

 

The growth of the iron and steel industry involved Technological innovation. As well as Large-scale production, centred on famous ironmasters. And Improvements in transport - canals and waterways.

 

There were three main reasons why the iron and steel industries grew, which included a shortage of wood, Increasing demand for iron because of the Industrial Revolution. And that cast iron was brittle and broke under strain, but wrought iron was too bendable. After 1850, therefore, there was increasing demand for steel, which was strong and malleable, particularly for the railways. Iron became more popular and ...

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