Figure 2-62. Iron Processing.
c.
Steel Production.
Steel is an alloy or iron.
The iron produced in a blast
furnace, pig iron, contains a relatively high carbon content which makes it hard
but brittle. To create steel, the carbon content of pig iron must be reduced and
impurities removed.
At the same time, small amounts of alloy metals such as
chromium, nickel, or tungsten are introduced to add special desired characteristics
(for example, hardness, corrosion resistance, and high tensile strength). The four
common steel production processes reduce the carbon content and remove impurities
by combustion.
Heated gas and air or oxygen are burned in the presence of the
molten iron and excess carbon and impurities are consumed along with the fuel
(Figure 2-63).
Figure 2-63.
Steel Production.
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IT 0673
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