Salamander (metallurgy)

Salamander ( salamander, Eisensau, stages, clingstones or wolves ) denotes the during the extraction of iron below the tapping of a blast furnace on the sole collecting cast iron, that can not be tapped normal and would form a solid block on the foundation when shutting down the blast furnace. Therefore, it is discharged through an additional discharge aperture which is drilled specifically for this purpose, except for a small residue. The salamander may contain portions of rarer materials such as titanium or molybdenum.

If the additional tap hole was too high, remains a significant part of the pig in the oven, which is then removed by blasting.

As salamander is also referred to the iron block in the extraction of iron in the smelting furnace, which can be removed from the furnace after completion of the melting process.

The term salamander is also in the non-ferrous metallurgy in use, for example if the content flows as a result of a broken crucible in the furnace room, there solidifies and can be crushed and removed only with considerable effort.