puddling

Purification of impure metal, especially pig iron, by heating and stirring in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Compaction of wet material, such as clay, in order to make a watertight paste.

In hydraul, engin., the operation of working plastic clay behind piling in a cofferdam, the lining of a canal, or in other situation, to prevent the penetration of water; also, the clay or other material used in this operation.

The operation of transforming pig-iron into wrought-iron in a reverberatory furnace.

The process of working clay, loam, pulverized ore, etc., with water, to render it compact, or impervious to liquids; also, the process of rendering anything impervious to liquids by means of puddled material.

Puddle. See puddle, n., 2.

The art or process of converting cast iron into wrought iron or steel by subjecting it to intense heat and frequent stirring in a reverberatory furnace in the presence of oxidizing substances, by which it is freed from a portion of its carbon and other impurities.

a reverberatory furnace in which cast iron is converted into wrought iron or into steel by puddling.

The action of making a puddle.