Wikiciv - User contributions [en]

Steel

2025-05-10T20:21:35Z

Mattyhussa: steel production

[[File:Steel wire rope.JPG|thumb|250px|The steel cable of a colliery winding tower]]

'''Steel''' is an alloy made up of [[iron]] with typically a few tenths of a percent of [[carbon]] to improve its strength and fracture resistance compared to other forms of iron. Many other elements may be present or added. Because of its high tensile strength and low cost, steel is used in buildings, infrastructure, tools, ships, trains, cars, machines, electrical appliances, weapons, and rockets. Iron is the base metal of steel.

The interaction of the allotropes of iron with the alloying elements, primarily carbon, gives steel and cast iron their range of unique properties. In pure iron, the crystal structure has relatively little resistance to the iron atoms slipping past one another, and so pure iron is quite ductile, or soft and easily formed. Steel is currently one of the most commonly manufactured materials in the world.

== Production ==
There are hundreds of grades of Steel each with different properties. Common variants are Stainless Steel, Spring Steel, Tool Steel and Mild Steel.

=== Mild Steel ===
Mild Steel is a low-carbon steel that is used in construction and is easy to manipulate due to its flexibility.

To produce it, Iron Ore is added to a Blast Furnace along with Coke and Lime. The Blast Furnace is heated until the mixture begins melting. The Coke is pure carbon and reacts with Iron Oxide to form Iron and Carbon Dioxide. The Lime's purpose is to react with impurities and create "slag" which floats to the top of the molten ore. In industry this process is in constant motion and Iron mixed with excess carbon will sink to the bottom where it is piped off for further processing.

The product from the blast furnace is called Cast Iron or Pig Iron and is generally unusable due to the high carbon content inside it, which makes it very brittle.

To remove this carbon, molten Cast Iron has Oxygen blasted through it which combines with the excess Carbon to create CO2 which escapes through the top of the molten mass. This leaves the Iron with almost zero carbon content, at which point an exact quantity of carbon can added to create the grade of Steel that is needed.

== Uses ==
{{See also|Spear}}
Steel can be used as a crafting material for a [[spear]]'s head.

== Dependencies ==
*[[Iron ore]]
**[[Iron]]
***'''Steel'''
****[[Axe]]
****[[Hammer]]
****[[Knife]]
****[[Scrap Steel]]
****[[Shovel]]
****[[Spear]]
****[[Sword]]
**[[Carbon]]

*[[Bloomery Furnace|Bloomery furnace]]
*[[Kiln]]

== See also ==
* [[Aluminum]]
* [[Brass]]
* [[Bronze]]
* [[Iron Ore]]
* [[Scrap Steel]]
* [[Alloys]]

==References==
{{wa|Steel}}

[[Category:Alloys]]

User:Mattyhussa

2025-05-10T20:00:26Z

Mattyhussa: Created page with "My discord name is also mattyhussa. I'm reasonably knowledgeable of primitive survival, industry and chemistry."

My discord name is also mattyhussa. I'm reasonably knowledgeable of primitive survival, industry and chemistry.

Acetylene

2025-05-10T19:58:52Z

Mattyhussa:

'''Acetylene''' is a [[Chemical compounds|chemical compound]] with the formula C2H2 and has the structure HC≡CH.

It is a colorless and odorless gas.

= Production =
The historical method of production is the chemical reactions between calcium carbide and water.

CaC2 + 2 H2O → Ca(OH)2 + C2H2

= Uses =
Acetylene is highly flammable and when mixed with oxygen it gives the hottest flame of any common fuel gas, reaching over 3000 degrees celsius, making it useful for manipulating metal.

=== Steel Welding/Cutting ===
Before arc welders were invented, acetylene torches were a common method of welding steel together. They can also be used to cut steel, however their use is limited as the heat created can ruin any heat treatment that has been done on a metal.

=== Brazing ===
Brazing is the joining of two pieces of metal using a Solder of another metal. For example, Brass is sometimes used to braze the steel frames of bikes.

Acetylene can provide localised heating in order to do this method of joining metal.

Acetylene

2025-05-10T19:58:35Z

Mattyhussa: uses of acetylene

'''Acetylene''' is a [[Chemical compounds|chemical compound]] with the formula C2H2 and has the structure HC≡CH.

It is a colorless and odorless gas.

= Production =
The historical method of production is the chemical reactions between calcium carbide and water.

CaC2 + 2 H2O → Ca(OH)2 + C2H2

= Uses =
Acetylene is highly flammable and when mixed with oxygen it gives the hottest flame of any fuel gas, reaching over 3000 degrees celsius, making it useful for manipulating metal.

=== Steel Welding/Cutting ===
Before arc welders were invented, acetylene torches were a common method of welding steel together. They can also be used to cut steel, however their use is limited as the heat created can ruin any heat treatment that has been done on a metal.

=== Brazing ===
Brazing is the joining of two pieces of metal using a Solder of another metal. For example, Brass is sometimes used to braze the steel frames of bikes.

Acetylene can provide localised heating in order to do this method of joining metal.

Salt

2025-05-09T20:55:12Z

Mattyhussa:

'''Salt''', '''table salt''', '''rock salt''', '''sea salt''' or '''halite''' (NaCl) is a naturally occurring [[Chemical compounds|chemical compound]] of sodium and chlorine used for flavouring and preserving food, as well as in chemical synthesis. It is naturally abundant in [[seawater]] and in salt mines, underground stores of salt from evaporated bodies of saltwater. Salt is a basic spice, one of the basic human tastes, and vital for life.
[[File:Table salt with salt shaker V1.jpg|thumb|Table salt with salt shaker]]

== Materials used ==

* '''[[Seawater]]'''
* An underground salt deposit

== Crafting instructions ==
Salt can be formed by evaporating seawater or by mining from underground salt deposits.

== Uses ==
Salt is used as a spice, in [[food preservation]] as [[pickling]], [[brining]], and [[curing]], and in chemical syntesis, as with [[chlorine]] and [[Sodium Chlorate|sodium]].

A solution of Salt can be electrolysed to produce Chlorine gas and Sodium Hydroxide which is a useful resource for chemistry. While this is almost impossible to do from scratch, Molten Salt can be electrolysed to get pure Sodium metal which is used in displacement reactions (for example Titanium can be produced by adding Sodium to Titanium Tetrachloride in industry).

== Dependencies ==

* Salt
** [[Chlorine]]
** [[Sodium]]
** [[Food preservation]]
*** [[Pickling]]
*** [[Brining]]
*** [[Curing]]

Coal

2025-05-09T20:47:15Z

Mattyhussa: Added a bit about the dangers of using coal.

{{distinguish|Charcoal}}
[[File:Coal Transported to the nearby Meremere Power Station, 1966.jpg|thumb|250px|Maramarua Open Cast Coal Mine in New Zealand, 1966]]

'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.
[[File:Subbituminous.jpg|thumb|208x208px|A lump of subbituminous coal. ]]
Coal can be found in a few different forms, these being Anthracite, Bituminous, Subbituminous and Lignite. The images on this article give some examples of their differing appearances.

Anthracite is the highest quality of coal, and is black, hard and quite glossy/shiny. It has a high carbon content, meaning it has a good heating value so it is the most desirable.

Bituminous and subbituminous coals are softer and don't tend to have the gloss of anthracite. They are the most common variants of coal, but have a lower carbon content with more impurities.
[[File:Anthracite coal.jpg|thumb|250x250px|A picture of anthracite. Note the glossiness and almost crystal-like appearance of the lump.]]
Lignite is the lowest quality of coal, and often contains has some brown colouring. It is also soft and has the most impurities making it unwise to use for household heating due to the large amounts of pollutants being produced.

== Materials needed ==
Coal is a naturally occurring material

== Crafting instruction ==
Coal is extracted from mines

== Uses ==
Because of its hot, consistent burning temperature and relative abundance, coal has had widespread use across history in heating, metalworking and powering coal [[Engine|engines]]. coal burns at a higher temperature than wood, and so allowed for easier production of [[iron]] and other metals. This high temperature also allowed for particularly high pressures to be achieved in steam engines with a lower volume of fuel. This ease of energy extraction was the basis of the industrial revolution.

Raw coal is often not desirable for making steel due to impurities such as Sulfur and other volatiles. This can be fixed by "coking" the coal to turn it into [[Coke(Fuel)|Coke]] which is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen at 600 degrees celsius for around 24 hours. This removes the impurities, which yields a fuel that can burn hotter than raw coal and can be added to Steel without contamination with compounds that lower its strength.

== Dangers ==

=== Pollution ===
Coal has Sulfur impurities, which create smelly and toxic fumes that can mess with your local environment. Coal tar is full of various organic compounds such as benzene and aldehydes which are toxic and carcinogenic.

It also often has some heavy metals such as Arsenic, Lead, and Nickel. These are released into the air or concentrated in the Ash of coal during combustion. Therefore, it is extremely important to dispose of Coal Ash properly and not use it in your garden or let it contaminate water sources.

=== Self-combustion ===
While on small scales this isn't a risk, coal is able to self-ignite. When coal is stored or transported in bulk it is watered to reduce this danger.

== Dependencies ==

* [[Carbon]]
* [[Peat]]
** '''Coal'''
** [[File:Lignite.jpg|thumb|A pile of lignite coal. It has a noticeable brown tinge.]][[Fuel]]

== See also ==
* [[Raw material]]
* [[Coke(Fuel)]]
* [[Activated charcoal]]
* [[Carbon dioxide]]
*[[Charcoal]]
*[[Fire]]

== References ==
{{wa|Coal}}

[[Category:Fuel]]
[[Category:Hydrocarbons]]
[[Category:Stubs]]

Coal

2025-05-09T20:36:04Z

Mattyhussa: Added descriptions of the variants of coal and some images for their identification.

{{distinguish|Charcoal}}
[[File:Coal Transported to the nearby Meremere Power Station, 1966.jpg|thumb|250px|Maramarua Open Cast Coal Mine in New Zealand, 1966]]

'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.
[[File:Subbituminous.jpg|thumb|208x208px|A lump of subbituminous coal. ]]
Coal can be found in a few different forms, these being Anthracite, Bituminous, Subbituminous and Lignite. The images on this article give some examples of their differing appearances.

Anthracite is the highest quality of coal, and is black, hard and quite glossy/shiny. It has a high carbon content, meaning it has a good heating value so it is the most desirable.

Bituminous and subbituminous coals are softer and don't tend to have the gloss of anthracite. They are the most common variants of coal, but have a lower carbon content with more impurities.
[[File:Anthracite coal.jpg|thumb|250x250px|A picture of anthracite. Note the glossiness and almost crystal-like appearance of the lump.]]
Lignite is the lowest quality of coal, and often contains has some brown colouring. It is also soft and has the most impurities making it unwise to use for household heating due to the large amounts of pollutants being produced.

== Materials needed ==
Coal is a naturally occurring material

== Crafting instruction ==
Coal is extracted from mines

== Uses ==
Because of its hot, consistent burning temperature and relative abundance, coal has had widespread use across history in heating, metalworking and powering coal [[Engine|engines]]. coal burns at a higher temperature than wood, and so allowed for easier production of [[iron]] and other metals. This high temperature also allowed for particularly high pressures to be achieved in steam engines with a lower volume of fuel. This ease of energy extraction was the basis of the industrial revolution.

Raw coal is often not desirable for making steel due to impurities such as Sulfur and other volatiles. This can be fixed by "coking" the coal to turn it into [[Coke(Fuel)|Coke]] which is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen at 600 degrees celsius for around 24 hours. This removes the impurities, which yields a fuel that can burn hotter than raw coal and can be added to Steel without contamination with compounds that lower its strength.

== Dependencies ==

* [[Carbon]]
* [[Peat]]
** '''Coal'''
** [[File:Lignite.jpg|thumb|A pile of lignite coal. It has a noticeable brown tinge.]][[Fuel]]

== See also ==
* [[Raw material]]
* [[Coke(Fuel)]]
* [[Activated charcoal]]
* [[Carbon dioxide]]
*[[Charcoal]]
*[[Fire]]

== References ==
{{wa|Coal}}

[[Category:Fuel]]
[[Category:Hydrocarbons]]
[[Category:Stubs]]

File:Lignite.jpg

2025-05-09T20:34:42Z

Mattyhussa:

File:Subbituminous.jpg

2025-05-09T20:33:06Z

Mattyhussa:

A lump of bituminous coal.

File:Anthracite coal.jpg

2025-05-09T20:26:43Z

Mattyhussa:

A lump of anthracite coal. Note the glossiness.

Clay

2025-05-09T09:14:18Z

Mattyhussa: /* Processing */

[[File:Clay-ss-2005.jpg|thumb|250px|Quaternary clay in Estonia]]

'''[[wikipedia:Clay | Clay]]''' is a type of fine-grained natural soil material. Clay is able to be worked into a desired shape when wet, and becomes hard and brittle when dried or fired, retaining its previous shape.

== Materials needed ==
Clay is a naturally occurring material

== Crafting instructions ==
Clay can be found underground, sometimes quite close to the surface. It is more common near riverbanks. Quality of clay varies by location. Before use, clay should be washed of impurities like sand, stones, or silt.

== Uses ==

=== Ceramics ===

Clay can be shaped when wet and then fired to create clay [[Ceramic |ceramics]], including [[Brick |bricks]] which can be used for construction, and [[pottery]] which includes clay vessels, dishware, pipes, and other wares.

=== Construction ===

In addition to clay bricks, clay can be used directly in buildings, such as in the daub used in wattle and daub construction, or in the walls of a [[Bloomery Furnace]].

=== Projectiles ===
:''See also:'' [[Sling]] and [[Slingshot]]
Clay is an option as [[projectile]]s for ranged [[weapons]], including the [[sling]] and the [[slingshot]].<ref name="PT">"[https://primitivetechnology.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/sling/ Sling]", primitivetechnology.wordpress.com. 27 November 2015. Retrieved on 27 April 2022.</ref>

=== Writing ===

Clay tablets are the earliest known medium for writing, used in Sumeria and Greece as early as 3000 BCE. Symbols can be inscribed into wet clay using a stylus, and the clay can either be remolded to record a new set of symbols or fired to make the record more permanent.

== Natural sources ==

Clay can be gathered from riverbanks and dry riverbeds or lakebeds in almost any part of the world. Wet clay is slippery even if it is unprocessed, unlike other kinds of soil or sand. A sample of clay can be tested by wetting it to a workable consistency and seeing if it breaks when rolled out or coiled into shape. A good sample of clay will be easy to work and resistant to breaking.

===Processing===

Before using clay, impurities such as stones and plant matter should be removed. This can be done by picking the impurities out while the clay is dry, by sifting the clay through a sieve, or by filtering clay particles suspended in [[water]] by passing them through a cloth. If clay is intended to be used for ceramics, it can be tempered with sand or with ground up bits of broken previously fired ceramics. This will improve the chance that the clay fires successfully. You can also add starch to your clay mixture, obtained by boiling foods such as rice and potatoes. Once boiled for some time, the starchy water can be added to your clay mixture to make it more moldable allowing for more precise pottery. Keep in mind that after adding this to your clay it will likely start smelling horrible after a couple days as starch is an organic material and will be decomposed.

== Dependencies ==

* '''Clay'''
** [[Brick]]
** [[Ceramic]]
** [[Sling]]
** [[Slingshot]]

== See also ==
* [[Brick]]
* [[Mud]]
* [[Sand]]
* [[Soils]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek3aeUhHaFY Fired Clay Bricks] - Primitive Technology, 26 April 2019, YouTube
{{wa|Clay}}

[[Category:Soils]]

Clay

2025-05-09T09:11:05Z

Mattyhussa: /* Processing */ Starch as an addition to clay

[[File:Clay-ss-2005.jpg|thumb|250px|Quaternary clay in Estonia]]

'''[[wikipedia:Clay | Clay]]''' is a type of fine-grained natural soil material. Clay is able to be worked into a desired shape when wet, and becomes hard and brittle when dried or fired, retaining its previous shape.

== Materials needed ==
Clay is a naturally occurring material

== Crafting instructions ==
Clay can be found underground, sometimes quite close to the surface. It is more common near riverbanks. Quality of clay varies by location. Before use, clay should be washed of impurities like sand, stones, or silt.

== Uses ==

=== Ceramics ===

Clay can be shaped when wet and then fired to create clay [[Ceramic |ceramics]], including [[Brick |bricks]] which can be used for construction, and [[pottery]] which includes clay vessels, dishware, pipes, and other wares.

=== Construction ===

In addition to clay bricks, clay can be used directly in buildings, such as in the daub used in wattle and daub construction, or in the walls of a [[Bloomery Furnace]].

=== Projectiles ===
:''See also:'' [[Sling]] and [[Slingshot]]
Clay is an option as [[projectile]]s for ranged [[weapons]], including the [[sling]] and the [[slingshot]].<ref name="PT">"[https://primitivetechnology.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/sling/ Sling]", primitivetechnology.wordpress.com. 27 November 2015. Retrieved on 27 April 2022.</ref>

=== Writing ===

Clay tablets are the earliest known medium for writing, used in Sumeria and Greece as early as 3000 BCE. Symbols can be inscribed into wet clay using a stylus, and the clay can either be remolded to record a new set of symbols or fired to make the record more permanent.

== Natural sources ==

Clay can be gathered from riverbanks and dry riverbeds or lakebeds in almost any part of the world. Wet clay is slippery even if it is unprocessed, unlike other kinds of soil or sand. A sample of clay can be tested by wetting it to a workable consistency and seeing if it breaks when rolled out or coiled into shape. A good sample of clay will be easy to work and resistant to breaking.

===Processing===

Before using clay, impurities such as stones and plant matter should be removed. This can be done by picking the impurities out while the clay is dry, by sifting the clay through a sieve, or by filtering clay particles suspended in [[water]] by passing them through a cloth. If clay is intended to be used for ceramics, it can be tempered with sand or with ground up bits of broken previously fired ceramics. This will improve the chance that the clay fires successfully. You can also add starch to your clay mixture, obtained by boiling foods such as rice and potatoes. Once boiled for some time, the water can be added to your clay mixture to make it more moldable allowing for more precise pottery. Keep in mind that after adding this to your clay it will likely start smelling horrible after a couple days as starch is an organic material and will be decomposed.

== Dependencies ==

* '''Clay'''
** [[Brick]]
** [[Ceramic]]
** [[Sling]]
** [[Slingshot]]

== See also ==
* [[Brick]]
* [[Mud]]
* [[Sand]]
* [[Soils]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek3aeUhHaFY Fired Clay Bricks] - Primitive Technology, 26 April 2019, YouTube
{{wa|Clay}}

[[Category:Soils]]

Clay

2025-05-09T09:04:50Z

Mattyhussa: /* Dirt refining */ This section is completely redundant, and it provided no useful info either.

[[File:Clay-ss-2005.jpg|thumb|250px|Quaternary clay in Estonia]]

'''[[wikipedia:Clay | Clay]]''' is a type of fine-grained natural soil material. Clay is able to be worked into a desired shape when wet, and becomes hard and brittle when dried or fired, retaining its previous shape.

== Materials needed ==
Clay is a naturally occurring material

== Crafting instructions ==
Clay can be found underground, sometimes quite close to the surface. It is more common near riverbanks. Quality of clay varies by location. Before use, clay should be washed of impurities like sand, stones, or silt.

== Uses ==

=== Ceramics ===

Clay can be shaped when wet and then fired to create clay [[Ceramic |ceramics]], including [[Brick |bricks]] which can be used for construction, and [[pottery]] which includes clay vessels, dishware, pipes, and other wares.

=== Construction ===

In addition to clay bricks, clay can be used directly in buildings, such as in the daub used in wattle and daub construction, or in the walls of a [[Bloomery Furnace]].

=== Projectiles ===
:''See also:'' [[Sling]] and [[Slingshot]]
Clay is an option as [[projectile]]s for ranged [[weapons]], including the [[sling]] and the [[slingshot]].<ref name="PT">"[https://primitivetechnology.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/sling/ Sling]", primitivetechnology.wordpress.com. 27 November 2015. Retrieved on 27 April 2022.</ref>

=== Writing ===

Clay tablets are the earliest known medium for writing, used in Sumeria and Greece as early as 3000 BCE. Symbols can be inscribed into wet clay using a stylus, and the clay can either be remolded to record a new set of symbols or fired to make the record more permanent.

== Natural sources ==

Clay can be gathered from riverbanks and dry riverbeds or lakebeds in almost any part of the world. Wet clay is slippery even if it is unprocessed, unlike other kinds of soil or sand. A sample of clay can be tested by wetting it to a workable consistency and seeing if it breaks when rolled out or coiled into shape. A good sample of clay will be easy to work and resistant to breaking.

===Processing===

Before using clay, impurities such as stones and plant matter should be removed. This can be done by picking the impurities out while the clay is dry, by sifting the clay through a sieve, or by filtering clay particles suspended in [[water]] by passing them through a cloth. If clay is intended to be used for ceramics, it can be tempered with sand or with ground up bits of broken previously fired ceramics. This will improve the chance that the clay fires successfully.

== Dependencies ==

* '''Clay'''
** [[Brick]]
** [[Ceramic]]
** [[Sling]]
** [[Slingshot]]

== See also ==
* [[Brick]]
* [[Mud]]
* [[Sand]]
* [[Soils]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek3aeUhHaFY Fired Clay Bricks] - Primitive Technology, 26 April 2019, YouTube
{{wa|Clay}}

[[Category:Soils]]