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I Forge Iron

Soapstone vs firebrick


RogueRugger

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I expect to have access to a reasonable quantity of misc size soapstone slabs. I know Mr Powers has some experience with these in a solid fuel forge, and I know soapstone was used in Viking forges as a backstone. However, I was wondering if anyone has experience with more extensive use as an alternative to firebricks in a coal (or even gas) forge? Thoughts on minimum thickness?

If it was a reasonable application, I was contemplating exploring how to carve some celtic designs, etc on the stone face. (If it ever stops snowing here and I get my blower working and get some new coal, sigh)

...Dave

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Soap stone has a high specific heat so it will take a lot of fuel just to heat the forge liner. This isn't a problem for a coal forge as the fire and steel is basically in the open covered only by fuel. It's good points are it's darned fire resistant and seems pretty impervious to thermal shock. The high specific heat and rather slow conduction rate means it holds heat well and radiates it uniformly. Makes for very nice wood and coal heaters.

 

Chemically is a different issue, it's the same stuff as asbestos differing by it's higher molecular water content, another mineral that has a higher molecular water content but the same chemical analysis is jadite and jade. Alaskan native soapstone carvers tend to die earlier than most from mesothelioma, the cancer resulting from asbestosis. Some soapstones are safer than others to carve.

 

I'll stick with Kaowool, fire brick, castable refractories and kiln washes.

 

Frosty The Lucky.

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Soap stone has a high specific heat so it will take a lot of fuel just to heat the forge liner. This isn't a problem for a coal forge as the fire and steel is basically in the open covered only by fuel. It's good points are it's darned fire resistant and seems pretty impervious to thermal shock. The high specific heat and rather slow conduction rate means it holds heat well and radiates it uniformly. Makes for very nice wood and coal heaters.
 
Chemically is a different issue, it's the same stuff as asbestos differing by it's higher molecular water content, another mineral that has a higher molecular water content but the same chemical analysis is jadite and jade. Alaskan native soapstone carvers tend to die earlier than most from mesothelioma, the cancer resulting from asbestosis. Some soapstones are safer than others to carve.
 
I'll stick with Kaowool, fire brick, castable refractories and kiln washes.
 
Frosty The Lucky.


Thanks for the tip; didn't realize the talc in the soapstone was a problem. Good to know.
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