Bloom (metal)

Description

A crude, spongy ingot of Iron and rocky Slag formed from the initial heating of ore to temperatures below the melting point of the metal. Bloom required extensive reheating then working to consolidate the bits of metal and remove excess slag.

Synonyms and Related Terms

metal bloom; bloom (Fr.); wolf (Ned.)

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• David C. Scott, Metallography and Microstructure of Ancient and Historic Metals, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1991