Making Steel c. 1960–1990

Electricity provided new ways to make steel. Brymbo’s first electric arc furnace was built in 1939. In 1956 GKN (Guest, Keen & Nettlefold Ltd., owners of Brymbo Steelworks) decided to build a new melting shop. The new works was built on a huge artificial plateau made of slag, the waste from the steelworks. People had to leave their homes in the Lodge to make way for this new development.

In 1961 a new cogging mill was installed to roll ingots up to 54 cwt (2750 kg) in weight compared to only 15cwt (765 kg) using the old mill.  After the construction of a new 70-ton electric arc furnace in 1972, the old 28” rolling mill was too slow to keep up.  So in 1976 GKN decided to build a new bar and billet mill.

To view a larger version, please click on the picture or the text.

1. The Electric Arc Furnace, the Refiner and the Mixer

The Electric Arc Furnace, the Refiner and the Mixer

2. The Electric Arc Furnace

The Electric Arc Furnace

3. Tapping the Electric Arc furnace

Tapping the Electric Arc furnace

4. ‘Pitmen’ prepare the casting pit for teeming molten metal into the ingot moulds

‘Pitmen’ prepare the casting pit for teeming molten metal into the ingot moulds

5. Inside Bar and Billet Mill

Inside Bar and Billet Mill

6. Inside the Bar and Billet Mill

Inside the Bar and Billet Mill



Brymbo was the first steelworks to use oxygen for pre-refining blast furnace metal. © Wrexham Archives, WM210


This plant removed unwanted gases from the molten steel. Wrexham Archives, WM210, © Stewart Bale


Brymbo led the way in new methods, such as this ladle furnace, for improving the quality of steel. © Wrexham Archives, WM210


Teeming molten metal from a ladle into the ingot moulds, Wrexham Archives, WM246. © Liverpool Daily Post & Echo


Evan Jones inspects a mould prior to teeming. Wrexham Archives, WM246. © Liverpool Daily Post & Echo


The re-heating furnace prepares the ingots for the mill. Wrexham Heritage Services, 91.27.8. © Stewart Bale

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