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Why did Watt engines use iron parts instead of some traditional brass parts?
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James Watt
James Watt, oil painting by H. Howard; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
James Watt replaced traditional brass parts with iron in his steam engines primarily because iron was a more cost-effective option. By utilizing iron and ensuring better-fitting engine components, Watt was able to minimize energy loss and improve the overall efficiency of his design.1