# Iron production and steel

> From furnace iron to steel


## Objectives

- State that the third stage produces types of iron such as cast iron and steel.
- Name the two essential processes of the steel industry.
- Name the three furnaces used to produce steel.

## 1. Iron ores and extraction of iron




## 2. Is steel just iron?

Predict: what is steel?

- A metal different from iron
- Pure iron
- Iron exactly as it leaves the blast furnace
- Iron, cleaned of impurities, with some elements added ✓

Steel is made from the iron that leaves the furnaces by two processes: removal of impurities, and addition of some elements to give the required properties.

[ar-EG] الـ steel بيتعمل من الـ iron اللي طالع من الأفران بعمليتين: شيل الشوائب، وإضافة بعض العناصر عشان ياخد الخواص المطلوبة.
## 3. The third stage

Extraction of iron from its ores: three stages (book p.17-18) After the reduction of iron ores in the blast furnace or Midrex furnace comes the third step: iron production. It produces different types of iron, such as cast iron and steel.


## 4. Two essential processes

The steel industry depends on two essential processes: Removal of impurities from iron resulting from the furnaces. Addition of some elements to iron to produce steel with the required properties for industrial purposes. So steel is iron with chosen elements, such as carbon. Steel is an alloy: a metal mixed with other elements. You will study alloys next.


## 5. From ore to steel

Put the steps in order, from ore to steel.


## 6. Steel furnaces

Steel is produced by one of three furnaces: the oxygen converters, the open-hearth furnace or the electric furnace. The book names these furnaces only. Learn the three names.


## 7. Two mix-ups

Steel is pure iron. Steel comes straight out of the blast furnace.


## 8. Check yourself

A student removes every impurity from furnace iron and adds nothing. Has the student made steel?

- Yes, if it was done in the blast furnace.
- No: steel also needs some elements added for the required properties. ✓
- Yes: steel is iron with the impurities removed.

Removal of impurities is one of the two processes. Steel also needs some elements added to give the required properties for industrial purposes.

[ar-EG] شيل الشوائب عملية واحدة من الاتنين. الـ steel محتاج كمان إضافة بعض العناصر عشان ياخد الخواص المطلوبة للاستخدامات الصناعية.
## 9. Summary

Third stage: production of different types of iron, such as cast iron and steel. Steel: removal of impurities from furnace iron + addition of some elements. Steel furnaces: oxygen converters, open-hearth furnace, electric furnace. "The steel industry depends on two essential processes": write both, in the book's words. Back to the hook: can you explain why steel is not the same as the iron from the blast furnace? The iron from the blast furnace still holds impurities. Steel is made from it in a steel furnace: the impurities are removed, then some elements are added to give the required properties.



Chapter: Transition Elements (https://yaani.ai/ar/learn/chemistry/chem-s3-en.ch1)
Source: https://yaani.ai/ar/lesson/chem-s3-en.lesson-fe.steel-production