Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

We are building our science project, but cannot find iron nails. Where can we buy 6-inch iron nails?

mmaglio22 - All common nails today are made of steel which is iron with a small amount of carbon included to increase hardness. The amount of carbon is just a fraction of a percent, so for all intent and purpose, the common variety nail is, in fact, iron. If your experiment needs a pure iron nail, you might try a shop that features antique hardware, ornamental iron fabricator or a blacksmith shop. Iron rod may be found at some of these same places. Tell us more about the need for pure iron, maybe we can help recommend a common steel nail that will suffice and make your sourcing easier.

Rick Marz

Thanks.