Pig iron: Difference between revisions
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==Uses== |
==Uses== |
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Traditionally pig iron would be worked into [[wrought iron]] in [[finery forge]]s, and later [[puddling furnace]]s, more recently into [[steel]].<ref>R. F. Tylecote, ''A history of metallurgy'' (2nd edition, Institute of Materials, London, 1992). </ref> |
Traditionally pig iron would be worked into [[wrought iron]] in [[finery forge]]s, and later [[puddling furnace]]s, more recently into [[steel]].<ref>R. F. Tylecote, ''A history of metallurgy'' (2nd edition, Institute of Materials, London, 1992). </ref> In these processes, pig iron is melted and a strong current of air is directed over it while it is being stirred or agitated. This causes the dissolved impurities (such as silicon) to be thoroughly oxidized. An intermediate product of puddling is known as ''refined pig iron'', ''finers metal'', or ''refined iron''.<ref name="em">{{cite book|last=Rajput|first=R.K.|title=Engineering Materials|publisher=S. Chand|date=2000|pages=223|isbn=8121919606}}</ref> |
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Pig iron can also be used to produce [[Gray iron]]. This is achieved by remelting pig iron, often along with substantial quantities of steel and [[scrap]] iron, removing undesirable contaminants, adding alloys, and adjusting the carbon content. Some pig iron grades are suitable for producing [[Ductile iron]]. These are high purity pig irons and depending on the grade of ductile iron being produced these pig irons may be low in the elements silicon, manganese and phosphorous. |
Pig iron can also be used to produce [[Gray iron]]. This is achieved by remelting pig iron, often along with substantial quantities of steel and [[scrap]] iron, removing undesirable contaminants, adding alloys, and adjusting the carbon content. Some pig iron grades are suitable for producing [[Ductile iron]]. These are high purity pig irons and depending on the grade of ductile iron being produced these pig irons may be low in the elements silicon, manganese and phosphorous. |
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=== Modern uses === |
=== Modern uses === |
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Today, pig iron is typically poured directly out of the bottom of the [[blast furnace]] through a [[trough]] into a [[ladle (metallurgy)|ladle]] car for transfer to the steel plant in mostly liquid form, referred to as ''hot metal''. The hot metal is then charged into a [[steelmaking]] vessel to produce [[steel]], typically with an [[electric arc furnace]] or [[basic oxygen furnace]], by burning off the excess carbon in a controlled fashion and adjusting the [[alloy]] composition. Earlier processes for this included the [[ |
Today, pig iron is typically poured directly out of the bottom of the [[blast furnace]] through a [[trough]] into a [[ladle (metallurgy)|ladle]] car for transfer to the steel plant in mostly liquid form, referred to as ''hot metal''. The hot metal is then charged into a [[steelmaking]] vessel to produce [[steel]], typically with an [[electric arc furnace]] or [[basic oxygen furnace]], by burning off the excess carbon in a controlled fashion and adjusting the [[alloy]] composition. Earlier processes for this included the [[finery forge]], the [[puddling furnace]], the [[Bessemer process]], and [[open hearth furnace]]. |
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Modern [[steel mill]]s and [[direct reduced iron|direct-reduction]] iron plants transfer the molten iron to a ladle for immediate use in the steel making furnaces or cast it into pigs on a pig-casting machine for reuse or resale. Modern pig casting machines produce stick pigs, which break into smaller 4–10 kg pieces at discharge. |
Modern [[steel mill]]s and [[direct reduced iron|direct-reduction]] iron plants transfer the molten iron to a ladle for immediate use in the steel making furnaces or cast it into pigs on a pig-casting machine for reuse or resale. Modern pig casting machines produce stick pigs, which break into smaller 4–10 kg pieces at discharge. |
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==Refining== |
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Pig iron is melted and a strong current of air is directed over it while it is being stirred or agitated. This causes the dissolved impurities (such as silicon) to be thoroughly oxidized. The metal is then cast into molds or used in other processes. This is known as ''refined pig iron'', ''finers metal'', or ''refined iron''.<ref name="em">{{cite book|last=Rajput|first=R.K.|title=Engineering Materials|publisher=S. Chand|date=2000|pages=223|isbn=8121919606}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 15:37, 26 July 2009
Pig iron is the intermediate product of smelting iron ore with coke, usually with limestone as a flux. Pig iron has a very high carbon content, typically 3.5–4.5%,[1] which makes it very brittle and not useful directly as a material except for limited applications.
The traditional shape of the molds used for these ingots was a branching structure formed in sand, with many individual ingots at right angles to a central channel or runner. Such a configuration is similar in appearance to a litter of piglets suckling on a sow. When the metal had cooled and hardened, the smaller ingots (the pigs) were simply broken from the much thinner runner (the sow), hence the name pig iron. As pig iron is intended for remelting, the uneven size of the ingots and inclusion of small amounts of sand was insignificant compared to the ease of casting and of handling.
The Chinese were making pig iron by the later Zhou Dynasty (1122–256 BC).[2] In Europe, the process was not discovered in Europe until the late medievial period.[3]
Uses
Traditionally pig iron would be worked into wrought iron in finery forges, and later puddling furnaces, more recently into steel.[4] In these processes, pig iron is melted and a strong current of air is directed over it while it is being stirred or agitated. This causes the dissolved impurities (such as silicon) to be thoroughly oxidized. An intermediate product of puddling is known as refined pig iron, finers metal, or refined iron.[5]
Pig iron can also be used to produce Gray iron. This is achieved by remelting pig iron, often along with substantial quantities of steel and scrap iron, removing undesirable contaminants, adding alloys, and adjusting the carbon content. Some pig iron grades are suitable for producing Ductile iron. These are high purity pig irons and depending on the grade of ductile iron being produced these pig irons may be low in the elements silicon, manganese and phosphorous.
Modern uses
Today, pig iron is typically poured directly out of the bottom of the blast furnace through a trough into a ladle car for transfer to the steel plant in mostly liquid form, referred to as hot metal. The hot metal is then charged into a steelmaking vessel to produce steel, typically with an electric arc furnace or basic oxygen furnace, by burning off the excess carbon in a controlled fashion and adjusting the alloy composition. Earlier processes for this included the finery forge, the puddling furnace, the Bessemer process, and open hearth furnace.
Modern steel mills and direct-reduction iron plants transfer the molten iron to a ladle for immediate use in the steel making furnaces or cast it into pigs on a pig-casting machine for reuse or resale. Modern pig casting machines produce stick pigs, which break into smaller 4–10 kg pieces at discharge.
See also
References
- ^ Camp, James McIntyre (1920). The Making, Shaping and Treating of Steel (2nd ed. ed.). Pittsburgh: Carnegie Steel Co. p. 174. OCLC 2566055.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|coauthor=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Wagner, Donald. Iron and Steel in Ancient China. Leiden 1996: E. J. Brill
- ^ Several papers in The importance of ironmaking: technical innovation and social change: papers presented at the Norberg Conference, May 1995 ed. Gert Magnusson (Jernkontorets Berghistoriska Utskott H58, 1995), 143-179.
- ^ R. F. Tylecote, A history of metallurgy (2nd edition, Institute of Materials, London, 1992).
- ^ Rajput, R.K. (2000). Engineering Materials. S. Chand. p. 223. ISBN 8121919606.