Chemistry Report

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GOOD day sir,

I am Joefrey B. Billan Jr., Discussing the importance of iron in the fields of engineering

Iron is one of the most abundant metals on Earth and has been used by civilizations for thousands of
years. In its pure form, it is soft and malleable, but when alloyed with other elements, it becomes one of
the most durable materials used in engineering."

Iron – a material that has shaped human history and continues to be a cornerstone of modern
engineering. Let’s explore the science, properties, and engineering marvels made possible by this
versatile metal."

Metallic Bonding

 Metallic Bonding: In iron, metallic bonding involves a "sea of delocalized electrons"


that freely move around a lattice of positively charged iron ions.

-Provides high strength, conductivity, and malleability.

 Benefit: This arrangement provides iron with both strength and ductility, making it ideal for
construction (e.g., bridges, buildings) and manufacturing machinery.

Ferromagnetic Nature of iron

 Tiny Magnets Inside Iron:

 Atoms in iron act like tiny magnets because of unpaired electrons in their structure.
 These tiny magnets naturally group together in regions called magnetic domains.

 Alignment of Domains:

 Normally, the magnetic domains point in random directions, so iron isn't magnetized.
 When you apply a magnetic field, the domains align in the same direction, creating a
strong magnetic effect.
 Even after removing the magnetic field, some domains stay aligned, so iron remains
magnetized.
Ductility of Iron

This allows the layers of atoms to slide over each other when a force is applied, making iron ductile.

IRON reactivity

Iron Oxidation:
When exposed to oxygen in the air, iron reacts slowly to form iron oxides (commonly rust). This is
represented as:

Increased Reactivity at High Temperatures:


At elevated temperatures, iron burns in oxygen to form iron oxide:

 FCC iron (austenite) is ductile, dense, and non-magnetic, making it ideal for high-
temperature applications.

 BCC iron (ferrite) is stronger, harder, and magnetic, suitable for room-temperature
applications like structural steel and ferromagnetic uses.
APPLICATION OF IRON IN

Construction:
Iron and its alloys (e.g., steel) are incredibly strong, making them ideal for load-bearing structures like
buildings, bridges, and towers.

Automotive and Machinery:


Iron provides the strength needed to withstand heavy loads, high pressures, and mechanical stress,
ensuring durability in vehicles and machines.

Iron can be shaped, bent, and welded without losing its structural integrity. This makes it
versatile for creating complex parts like:

 Construction: Reinforcements, beams, and frames.


 Automotive: Engine components, frames, and chassis.
 Machinery: Gears, shafts, and tools.

How is iron process

Mining

South America, Australia, and Asia

Crushing

The ore is fed into jaw crushers or gyratory crushers, where it is broken into smaller chunks.

The crushed material typically has sizes ranging from 10 cm to a few millimeter

Grinding

 Purpose: Further reduce the size of the crushed ore to fine particles for efficient separation of
iron minerals.
 Process:
o The crushed ore is sent to grinding mills (e.g., ball mills or rod mills), where it is
pulverized into a powder-like consistency.
o Water may be added during this process to form a slurry for easier handling.

Magnetic Separation
 Purpose: Separate iron-rich minerals (magnetite or hematite) from non-magnetic impurities
(e.g., silica or alumina).
 Process:
o The ground ore is passed over magnetic separators.
o Magnetite ore: The magnetic separator attracts the iron-rich particles and separates
them from the waste (gangue).
o Hematite ore: Requires additional processing, such as flotation, to enhance iron
content.

Smelting

 Purpose: Extract pure iron from the concentrated ore.


 Process:

o The concentrated ore is fed into a blast furnace, where it is smelted at high
temperatures (up to 2,000°C).
o Key Inputs:
 Iron ore concentrate: The source of iron.
 Coke: Acts as a fuel and reducing agent.
 Limestone: Removes impurities by forming slag.

o Reactions in the Blast Furnace:


 Coke reacts with oxygen to produce carbon monoxide: 2C+O2→2CO2 \text{C}
+ \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{CO}2C+O2→2CO
 Carbon monoxide reduces iron ore to molten iron: Fe2O3+3CO→2Fe+3CO2\
text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 3 \text{CO} \rightarrow 2 \text{Fe} + 3 \text{CO}_2Fe2O3
+3CO→2Fe+3CO2
 Limestone reacts with impurities (e.g., silica) to form slag:
CaCO3→CaO+CO2andCaO+SiO2→CaSiO3(slag)\text{CaCO}_3 \rightarrow \
text{CaO} + \text{CO}_2 \quad \text{and} \quad \text{CaO} + \text{SiO}_2 \
rightarrow \text{CaSiO}_3 (\text{slag})CaCO3→CaO+CO2andCaO+SiO2→CaSiO3
(slag)

o The molten iron collects at the bottom of the furnace, while slag floats on top and
is removed.
 Overview Table

Step Purpose Outcome


Mining Extract iron ore from the Earth Raw iron ore
Crushing Break ore into smaller pieces Crushed ore
Grinding Pulverize ore for separation Fine ore particles (powder/slurry)
Magnetic Separation Separate iron minerals from impurities Concentrated iron ore
Smelting Extract iron from ore in a blast furnace Molten pig iron and slag

 This step-by-step process ensures efficient extraction and refining of iron for industrial
and engineering applications.

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