Iron making in ancient India - a critical assessment

It is a well known fact, that Indian craftsman produced quality iron products much earlier than the developed countries, making use of local reserves of iron ore. Iron produced in ancient India was mostly wrought iron. The metal was obtained in the form of a pasty mass and then shaped under hammer. Today, when India is producing several million tons of iron, primitive iron making is still exists in some parts of India. The primitive iron making furnaces declined in numbers gradually from about 500 in the beginning of 20'h century to about 150 by the middle of the century. Their present number is not known. Such furnaces are in operation deep into the forests and the tribal areas of India. The paper discusses briefly the history of iron making along with the critical assessment of the ancient processes. Some of the important measures absolutely. essential to upgrade the processes have also been discussed. Several pertinent modifications have been proposed in the design of these furnaces to make them more energy efficient and economically viable 'for tribal and rural populace

Moulding characteristics of Rajendra Silica Sand No.I

Foundry sand from M/s Rajendra Silica Works, Shankargarh District, Allahabad was investigated to study its suitability as a foundry moulding material. The sand in the "as-received" state was medium to coarse grained and yellowish brown in colour. Standard methods as specified by the American Foundrymen's Society for testing sands were followed throughout the investigation using Dietert sand testing equipments

Moulding characteristics of pachpahra sand.

The sand received from the Directorate of Geology and Mining, U.P., Luck now was investigated to study its suitabi1ity as a foundry moulding material. The sand was collected from the upper unit of Pachpahra (25 16t 30"; 81° 351 20") Uttar Pradesh. The sand as received was dirty white in colour and sub-angular to sub-rounded in shape

Ferro-chrome slag as harderner for sodium silicate bonded sand

The use of ferro-chrome slag as hardener for sodium silicate bonded sand was investigated. This was done by investigating the compressive strength, air set strength and bench life of sand mixes containing 5% sodium silicate and different percentages of ferro-chrome slag. The results were compared with those obtained using commercial as well as chemically pure dicalcium silicate. Laboratory scale trials for production of moulds and cores gave satisfactory control over foundry properties with the use of 1.5 to 2.0% addition of ferro-chrome slag. (Shri S.K. Sinhababu, Senior Laboratory Assistant, Shri S.K. Sinha, Junior Scientific Assistant, Shri G.N. Rao, Scientist; National Metallurgical Laboratory

Moulding characteristics of Godavari river sand No.2

This investigation was undertaken to study the moulding characteristics of the Godavari river sand supplied by The Director of Geological Survey of India, Andhra Pradesh. The sand was collected from the sand island to the South of Dowalaiswaram anicut 16°56 81°46' from the sand bed of river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. The sand was reddish brown in colour and sub-angular to sub-rounded in shape

Moulding characteristics of Bhainsahi Glass sand (Lower unit)yellow

This investigation covers the study of moulding characteristics of Bhainsahi glass sand received from the Director, Directorate of Geology & Mining, Lucknow, U,P, The sand was collected from the Lower unit from Bhainsahi location 25° 16': 81° 34 10", Uttar Pradesh. The sand "as received" was fine-grained and light yellow in colour

Moulding characteristics of Maharashtra Silica sand: Sample No. MSS-7

The sand sample marked MSS-7 received from the Director of Geology and Mining, Government of Maharashtra, Nagpur, was investigated to study its suitability as a foundry moulding material. The sand was collected from the Working pits of the M/S D.6. Sokholkar's Mine in the village Nath, Vengurla Mahal, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. It was sedimentary sandstone bed belonging to Kaladgi series (Cuddapah system). The sand stone bed measures about 3000 ft. in length, about 50 ft. in width and 45 ft. deep. Bigger lumps were crushed with hammer s into about " size pieces. Finally the material was powdered into sand in the mortars and number of screenings were done

Moulding characteristics of Godavari river sand No.1

The sand received from the Geological Survey of India (A.P) was investigated to study its suitability as a foundry moulding material. The sample was collected from the sand is lane to the south of the Godavari river railway bridge. the sand, 'as-received' was coarse to fine grained and reddish-brown in colour

Moulding characteristics of Rajendra Silica Sand No.2

The sand received from Messrs Rajendra Silica Works Shankargarh, Dist. Allahabad was investigated to study its suitability as a foundry moulding material. The sand an as-received was medium to fine-grained and yellowish in colour. Standard methods as specified by the American Foundrymen's Society for testing sands were followed throughout the investigation using Dietert Sand Testing Equipments

Moulding characteristics of Bhainsahi glass sand (Upper Unit)

The sand received from the Director Directorate of Geology and Mining, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh was investigated to study its suitability as a foundry moulding material. The sand was collected from the upper unit horizon near the location Bhainsahi (20° 16':81° 34' 30" U.P.) The sand as –received was dirty white in colour and was medium to fine grained