Publications
The Use of Bloomery Slag in Blast Furnaces, by David Butler, published 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 5, article, pp.10-11) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Abstract:In the bloomery furnace flux was not normally added to the furnace burden; the latter consisted only of ore and charcoal. However to obtain a bloom of iron it is necessary for the unwanted parts of the ore to be removed in the form of a free running slag. For this purpose iron oxide in the ore acts as a flux, and at the low temperatures prevailing in the bloomery a considerable quantity of the iron oxide content of the ore is required to form a free running slag. The iron oxide so used as a flux is not available for the production of iron and consequently the efficiency of the bloomery process suffers.
A Wealden Cannon-Boring Bar [at Stream Mill, Chiddingly], by D. S. Butler and C. F. Tebbutt, published 1975 in The Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology (vol. 9, article, pp.38-41) View Online
The Fullers and Carron, by David Butler, published 1981 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 1, article, pp.24-31) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Abstract:After reading a number of articles concerning the Fullers and their ironmaking activities, a visit was made to the East Sussex Record Office to examine the Fuller Letter Book in their keeping.
The purpose of the visit was to find if any additional information was contained in the letters, also to ascertain what had occurred during the last years of gun founding at Heathfield. Among the letters written by Dr. Rose Fuller in 1773 some references were found relating to the Carron Company of Scotland and to the likelihood of new contracts between the Sussex gun founders and the Board of Ordnance.
The purpose of the visit was to find if any additional information was contained in the letters, also to ascertain what had occurred during the last years of gun founding at Heathfield. Among the letters written by Dr. Rose Fuller in 1773 some references were found relating to the Carron Company of Scotland and to the likelihood of new contracts between the Sussex gun founders and the Board of Ordnance.
A Method of De-rusting Archaeological Iron Artefacts, by D. Butler and B.K. Herbert, published 1989 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 9, article, pp.19-26, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Abstract:The method of de rusting iron artefacts given here is essentially that described by Plenderleith and Werner.
The technique is based on electrolysis and uses readily available materials and equipment, but certain safety aspects and precautions are necessary, and these are described later.
The technique is based on electrolysis and uses readily available materials and equipment, but certain safety aspects and precautions are necessary, and these are described later.