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Every time I have seen the word "bloom" used, it is referring to metal in a molten state. So is this auther saying that a random mixing of iron and steel was being used? I have no idea what the difference could be between a molten state and "fusion". Did the author ever witness this process?"
I would say that the mixing was random just to the nature of mixing but the added components were not. Someone chime in and correct me, but early on rope making techniques must have influenced tube making but only a specific type of raw material with specific concentrations could be used to get the desired end result. Then Cort's 1784 puddling advances, which made small pieces which were in turn made into a large piece such as rail. Then in 1855 Bessemer added the hyraulic press, along with rolling mills, etc., allowed the rail to be made in one piece. So, here's an overview of raw material to barrel material:
Reduction of raw material, or parent material with known properties, by smelting,
Puddling to add or remove impurities(trade silicon for phorphous, add lime, etc.) to convert into desired melleable, etc. metal.
Later advances in smelting almost reach the desired result in puddling. Then the desired metals for a gun barrel were blended, fused, mixed in a different state, or slightly more fluid state, than the heating and twisting or twisting and heating. So maybe "puddling" was used too loosely but "stuff" is being added/mixed. This is the early/mid 19th Century Laminated.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
Last edited by ellenbr; 08/25/08 10:08 PM.
