Basic Steel

Basic Steel, a steel produced by a modified Bessemer process (q.v.), and having the advantage over the ordinary method that pig iron containing phosphorus may be employed for its manufacture. The important point of difference between the two methods is that the Basic-Bessemer converter is lined with a combination of hard-burnt magnesian limestone and anhydrous tar. This resists the extremely high temperature attained during the blowing, and effects the elimination of the phosphorus from the molten metal. The lining of the ordinary Bessemer converter is siliceous.