Steel wool, also known as iron wool, wire wool or wire sponge, is a bundle of very fine and flexible sharp-edged steel filaments. It was described as a new product in 1896.[1] It is used as an abrasive in finishing and repair work for polishing wood or metal objects, cleaning household cookware, cleaning windows, and sanding surfaces.[2]
A piece of steel woolSoap-impregnated steel wool pad for household cleaning
Steel wool is made from low-carbon steel in a process similar to broaching, where a heavy steel wire is pulled through a toothed die that removes thin, sharp, wire shavings.[2]
Steel wool is commonly used by woodworkers, metal craftsmen, and jewelers to clean and smooth working surfaces and give them shine.[3] However, when used on oak, remaining traces of iron may react with tannins in the wood to produce blue or black iron stain, and when used on aluminum, brass, or other non-ferrous metal surfaces may cause after-rust which will dull and discolor the surface. Bronze wool and stainless steel wool will not cause these undesirable effects.
Steel wool is often used for professional cleaning processes on glass and porcelain because it is softer than those materials and is able to scrape off deposits without scratching the underlying surface like common abrasives.[citation needed] In many countries, soap-impregnated steel wool pads were sold under various trade names including Brillo Pad, Chore Boy, and S.O.S Soap Pad for household cleaning, although those products sometimes no longer contain steel wool.
Another use for steel wool is in rodent control. Small holes are plugged with coarse grade steel wool, which, if gnawed on by rodents, causes extreme pain in the mouth and, if ingested, severe internal damage may lead to death.
When steel wool is heated or allowed to rust, it increases in mass due to the combination of oxygen with iron.
Piece of burning steel wool being spun to produce sparks for light painting
The fine cross-section of steel wool makes it combustible in air. Light painting, where many sparks are released, is one application. Very fine steel wool can also be used as tinder in emergency situations, as it burns even when wet and can be ignited by fire, a spark, or by connecting a battery to produce joule heating.
GradesEdit
Steel wool products are supplied in grades from the coarser grades 3 and 4 to the super fine grade 0000. Rust-resistant (stainless) steel wool is also available.
^Iron Age, Vol. LVII, p.871, cited by Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute, Volume 50, Issue 2, p.482 [1]
^ abJessica Elzea Kogel; Nikhil C. Trivedi; James M. Barker; Stanley T. Krukowski (2006). Industrial Minerals & Rocks (7th ed.). SME. p. 156. ISBN9780873352338. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
^"Steel wool: low-cost, do-everything home and shop material". Popular Science. Vol. 208, no. 5. Bonnier Corporation. May 1976. p. 124. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
^"Steel Wool Grades". The Engineering ToolBox. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
October 29, 2023
steel, wool, confused, with, steal, wool, also, known, iron, wool, wire, wool, wire, sponge, bundle, very, fine, flexible, sharp, edged, steel, filaments, described, product, 1896, used, abrasive, finishing, repair, work, polishing, wood, metal, objects, clean. Not to be confused with Steal Wool Steel wool also known as iron wool wire wool or wire sponge is a bundle of very fine and flexible sharp edged steel filaments It was described as a new product in 1896 1 It is used as an abrasive in finishing and repair work for polishing wood or metal objects cleaning household cookware cleaning windows and sanding surfaces 2 A piece of steel woolSoap impregnated steel wool pad for household cleaningSteel wool is made from low carbon steel in a process similar to broaching where a heavy steel wire is pulled through a toothed die that removes thin sharp wire shavings 2 Contents 1 Uses 2 Grades 3 See also 4 ReferencesUses Edit nbsp Steel wool burning in airSteel wool is commonly used by woodworkers metal craftsmen and jewelers to clean and smooth working surfaces and give them shine 3 However when used on oak remaining traces of iron may react with tannins in the wood to produce blue or black iron stain and when used on aluminum brass or other non ferrous metal surfaces may cause after rust which will dull and discolor the surface Bronze wool and stainless steel wool will not cause these undesirable effects Steel wool is often used for professional cleaning processes on glass and porcelain because it is softer than those materials and is able to scrape off deposits without scratching the underlying surface like common abrasives citation needed In many countries soap impregnated steel wool pads were sold under various trade names including Brillo Pad Chore Boy and S O S Soap Pad for household cleaning although those products sometimes no longer contain steel wool Another use for steel wool is in rodent control Small holes are plugged with coarse grade steel wool which if gnawed on by rodents causes extreme pain in the mouth and if ingested severe internal damage may lead to death When steel wool is heated or allowed to rust it increases in mass due to the combination of oxygen with iron nbsp Piece of burning steel wool being spun to produce sparks for light paintingThe fine cross section of steel wool makes it combustible in air Light painting where many sparks are released is one application Very fine steel wool can also be used as tinder in emergency situations as it burns even when wet and can be ignited by fire a spark or by connecting a battery to produce joule heating Grades EditSteel wool products are supplied in grades from the coarser grades 3 and 4 to the super fine grade 0000 Rust resistant stainless steel wool is also available Steel Wool fiber thickness 4 Grade Name Grade Code inches mmSuper Fine 0000 0 001 0 025Extra Fine 000 0 0015 0 035Very Fine 00 0 0018 0 04Fine 0 0 002 0 05Medium 1 0 0025 0 06Medium Coarse 2 0 003 0 075Coarse 3 0 0035 0 09Extra Coarse 4 0 004 0 10See also EditBronze wool Glass wool Mineral wool Polishing Wood finishingReferences Edit Iron Age Vol LVII p 871 cited by Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute Volume 50 Issue 2 p 482 1 a b Jessica Elzea Kogel Nikhil C Trivedi James M Barker Stanley T Krukowski 2006 Industrial Minerals amp Rocks 7th ed SME p 156 ISBN 9780873352338 Retrieved 2009 07 21 Steel wool low cost do everything home and shop material Popular Science Vol 208 no 5 Bonnier Corporation May 1976 p 124 ISSN 0161 7370 Retrieved 2009 07 21 Steel Wool Grades The Engineering ToolBox Retrieved 23 March 2014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Steel wool amp oldid 1172948929, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
