The melting point of iron

Iron man began to own (forge, melt) several millennia after mastering the work with copper. The first native iron in the form of lumps was found in the Middle East in 3000 BC. And iron metallurgy, according to experts, arose in several places on the planet, different peoples have mastered this process at different times. Due to this iron as a material for the manufacture of tools, hunting and war forced out stone and bronze.

The first processes of making iron were called cheese-free. The bottom line was that iron ore with charcoal was poured into the pit, which was kindled and tightly closed, leaving a blowing hole through which fresh air was blown. During this heating, the melting point of the iron, of course, could not be achieved, a softened mass (kritsa) was obtained, in which slag (ash from the fuel, oxides of ore and rocks) was found.

Further, the krytsu was chiseled several times, removing slag and other unnecessary inclusions, this laborious process was performed several times, as a result of which the fifth part was taken from the total mass to the finish operation. With the invention of the water wheel, it became possible to supply a significant amount of air. Thanks to this blast, the melting point of iron became achievable, the metal appeared in liquid form.

This metal was cast iron, which was not forged, but it was noticed that it fills the mold well. These were the first experiments on cast-iron casting, which with some improvements and changes have come down to our days. Over time, a method was found for processing cast iron into welding iron. Pieces of cast iron were loaded with charcoal, during this process the iron was softened, oxidation of impurities, including carbon, took place. As a result, the metal became thick, the melting temperature of the iron increased, i.e. Weld iron was produced.

Thus, metallurgists of that time were able to divide the unified process into two stages. This two-stage process in the idea itself has survived to the present time, the changes are more concerned with the emergence of processes occurring in the second stage. Pure iron or metal, having a minimum of impurities, has almost no practical application. The melting point of iron in the iron-carbon diagram is at point A, which corresponds to 1535 degrees.

The boiling point of iron comes when the level reaches 3200 degrees.

In the open air, iron is eventually covered with an oxide film, a loose layer of rust appears in the moist environment. Iron from its inception to this day is one of the main metals. Iron is used, mainly in the form of alloys, which differ in properties and composition.

At what temperature the iron melts, depends on the content of carbon and other components that make up the alloy. The greatest use is made of carbon alloys - cast iron and steel. Alloys containing carbon more than 2% are called cast iron, less than 2% refer to steel. Cast iron is produced in blast furnaces, by remelting ores enriched at the sinter plant.

Steel is smelted in open-hearth, electric and induction furnaces, in converters.

Metal scrap and cast iron are used as a charge. By oxidizing processes, excess carbon and harmful impurities are removed from the charge, and additions of alloying materials make it possible to obtain the desired grade of steel. For the production of steel and other alloys, modern metallurgy uses the technology of electroslag remelting, vacuum, electron beam and plasma melting.

In the development there are new methods of steel melting, providing for the automation of the process and ensuring the production of high-quality metal.

Scientific developments have reached a level where it is possible to obtain materials that withstand vacuum and high pressure, large temperature fluctuations, an aggressive environment, radiation radiation, etc.