Iron and Steel Flashcards
What are 2 properties of pure iron?
- Soft
- Malleable
Why is pure iron soft and malleable?
Because its atoms are arranged in a regular way that allows its layers of atoms slide over each other
Why is pure iron not practical for many uses?
Because it is too soft
Complete the sentence: Iron from the blast furnace is an ____ of about ____ percent iron, with ____ and some other ______.
Iron from the blast furnace is an ALLOY of about 96 percent iron, with CARBON and some other IMPURITIES.
What are the 2 properties of iron from a blast furnace?
- Hard
- Brittle
What does the brittleness of iron from the blast furnace mean?
It cannot be used for many purposes
What do we convert iron from the blast furnace into so it is less brittle and more useful? How?
Converting it into steel by removing some of the iron
What are the 4 points for converting iron from a blast furnace into steel?
- Melt the iron
- Remove carbon by blowing oxygen into it
- The carbon reacts with oxygen to form carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which escapes
- Use enough oxygen to achieve steel with desired cabon content
- Other metals are added to make alloys
What metals are often added to steel, and why?
Vanadium and chromium, to produce an alloy with properties to fit specific issues
What is iron alloyed with to make low carbon steel?
About 0.25 percent carbon
What is the property of low carbon steel?
Malleable
What is the typical use of low carbon steel?
Car body panels
What is iron alloyed with to make high carbon steel?
Up to 2.5 percent carbon
What is the property of high carbon steel?
Hard
What is a typical use of high carbon steel?
Cutting tools
