Iron
Iron (Ferrite) is extracted from its ore
by using heat. During the extraction process the impurities are removed from
the furnish leaving a greyish metal once cooled. Iron is rarely used without
the addition of carbon thus creating Steel which is much stronger.
Steel
A combination of Iron and Carbon, Steel
can have great toughness depending on the carbon content of the alloy. The
higher the carbon content the more tough the steel is but the more brittle.
Similarly the less carbon content the less tough the steel is.
By adding another metal to the steel alloy
enables more specific properties to be enhanced for example zinc coating makes
it resistant to corrosion.
Carbon
Carbon is used in many materials to add
properties of strength and ductility. Organic materials that carbon is found in
include diamond and coal. The amount of carbon used in a steel alloy varies the
strength and hardness; however the addition of too much carbon can have the
opposite effect and cause brittleness to the material.
Iron and Carbon
Iron is generally a soft and ductile
material, these properties do not make a a very useful material for commercial
uses. When carbon is added to Iron the characteristics of the new material
(Steel) changes and therefore resulting in a wide range of specific properties.
An increase in the amount of Carbon will
result in:
The material becoming harder
Toughness reduces, con become brittle
High Carbon Steel and Medium Carbon Steel
can be heat treated to increase Strength and Hardness of the material.
Heat Treatments
Annealing
Quenching
Tempering
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