Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe (from Latin: ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is by mass the most common element on Earth, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust.
Elemental iron is produced commercially by reduction of the iron ore (Fe2O3) with carbon (C) in a blast furnace. Fe3O4, the ratio of which depends on the impurities present, is reduced to Wüstite (FeO), which in turn is reduced to iron by carbon (C) at 900-1200°C. This carbon can be obtained from coke (made from coal) or natural gas.
The resulting iron contains about 98.5% Fe, 0.5% C, 0.05% Si, 0.005% P, 0.0005% S. The nitrogen content is kept below 0.005% to avoid formation of brittle nitrides. The carbon content is controlled to develop the desired properties. More carbon gives a harder, but more brittle, iron; less carbon gives a softer, but ductile, iron.
The raw material for all grades of pig iron is iron ore. Depending on the grade of pig iron, the iron ore is different. The traditional blast furnace is built on site of an iron ore deposit and encourages local employment and production. Modern furnaces tend to be off site and sources of iron ore from around the world are used. The main inputs are iron ore, coke and limestone.
The volume of iron produced in a blast furnace is called a "blast", and is expressed in million tonnes (Mt) of pig iron. The total world production of pig iron in 2012 was 1,176 Mt. The top three producers were China (49.2%), Japan (8.4%), and the European Union (27.9%).
How does the volume of iron affect its properties?
The effects of volume on iron are both significant and far-reaching. First and foremost, iron is significantly more dense than most other materials, meaning that a given volume of iron will weigh more than the same volume of any other material. This density gives iron its distinct advantage in construction and other applications where weight is a primary concern. Additionally, the high density of iron means that it is highly resistant to compression, making it ideal for structural support.
The other major effect of iron's high density is that it makes the metal extremely strong. The stronger a material is, the harder it is to deform. This is why iron is often used in construction and engineering applications where strength is a primary concern. Additionally, the high strength of iron means that it is also highly resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for applications where durability is a key consideration.
What is the relationship between the volume of iron and its density?
The relationship between the volume of iron and its density is an inverse one; as the volume of iron increases, the density decreases. This is because, as iron is a highly dense metal, increasing its volume enlarges the spaces between the atoms, resulting in a decrease in density.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can the properties of iron be changed by the addition of carbon?
Adding carbon to iron changes its hardness and ductility. Carbon distorts the crystal lattice of iron, making it more brittle and less able to hold its shape. This makes iron a harder metal, capable of withstanding more force before it deforms permanently. Additionally, adding carbon makes iron less prone to rusting, as the metal's oxide layer (corrosion protection) is weakened.
What are the physical properties of iron element?
Iron is a soft metal, with a silver white or grayish color. Some of its most important properties are ductility, malleability and thermal conductivity. Malleability lets Iron be beaten into sheets, without cleavage and ductility makes it possible for thin wires to be drawn from it.
What is the volume of an iron atom?
The volume of an iron atom is typically 1.7 X 10^-9 cubic meters.
How does carbon give iron hardness?
Carbon distorts the iron atoms' crystal lattice, making the metal harder.
What happens when small quantity of carbon is added?
Small quantity of carbon becomes strong and hard. When we add small quantity of carbon and we know that alloy has very high strength and alloy has ability to alerted by heat treatment And formed alloy is known as steel.
