Steven511 Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 I was walking along the train tracks (I know, I shouldn’t, but I was) and came across these strange specimens. What could they be from? I assume heavy railway equipment, but they are so rusted I have no clue. The amount of rust on them makes them look I n c r e d I b l y old. I found a 100 year old hammer left untouched in my backyard, and it had less rust than this. The pattern of the rust reminds me of wrought iron. Is this wrought or is it just because of how long it’s been rusting? Overall: What was this used for, how old is it, and what is it made of? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpearson Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 grinder dust off a hot saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Richter Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Think Mr. Pearson is right you got this ‘stalagmites’ when you cut / grind / flatten rail road tracks. A mixture of glowing iron/steel & corundum sparks/dust. Like I got ‘baby stalagmites’ on the inside of my 9in angle grinder disk protection cap after cutting a big piece of bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Sometimes you can also find sprues from thermite welding of track. I wonder how good an ore those stalagmites would be for a bloomery... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Wrought iron does NOT rust like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Oh wrought rusts just like that it just doesn't look like that. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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