Iron and Steel

Question 1

What is Iron

Answer 1

-Iron is not naturally occurring in the earth’s crust and is found as ore (Fe2O3)

Question 2

How is Iron Extracted

Answer 2

-Using a blast furnace where Iron Ore, Limestone and Coke are added at the top of a increasingly hot chamber where at the end the Limestone and Coke remove the impurities of the Ore allowing molten iron to be removed from the slag and be tapped out of the bottom.

Question 3

What can be made with Iron

Answer 3

Wrought Iron = pure iron = gates / railings
Mild Steel = Fe + 0.25%C = Ships / Cars
High-C Steel = Fe + 0.25-1.5%C = Cutting Tools
Cast Iron = Fe + 4%C = Manhole Covers
Stainless Steel = Fe + Cr/Ni = Cutlery

Question 4

Rusting / Preventing Rusting

Answer 4

• Iron rusts in the presence of oxygen and water. Rusting is accelerated by salts
• Iron is the only metal that “rusts”
• Iron can only be protected from rusting by stopping it from coming into contact with water or oxygen this can be done by coating it in oil or grease or making it into an alloy.