Top 8 Types of Iron: Properties and Uses
Iron is a versatile material that is widely used in many applications and industries. There are different types of iron, and each type has a specific use based on its properties. Some of the common types of iron are featured in this guide below; if you want to learn about it, let's read.
Types of Iron
The eight different types of iron are discussed in this section below.
1. Pure Iron
Pure iron, also known as butter iron, consists of 99.8% pure iron, followed by a very negligible amount of manganese and carbon. It originates from an electric arc furnace that has an extremely high temperature, which melts the iron. The trace elements present in pure iron add some properties to it.
Pure iron is used to manufacture gaskets, magnets, and special alloy steels in different industries. It is soft, and hence, for daily use, it has to be mixed with carbon so that it takes a strong form.
2. Cast Iron (White Iron, Gray Iron)
Cast iron has a high carbon content. It has a grained and brittle structure. It retains and distributes heat very well. Hence, it is commonly opted for manufacturing engine blocks, cookware, pipes, and some construction materials.
There are different types of cast iron, and these are as follows:
- White cast iron has a crystalline fracture structure that results from metastable solidification.
- Gray cast iron has a gray fractured surface and flakes of graphite, but it also has ferrite.
3. Pig Iron
Raw iron is pig iron, which has chunky blocks. The production process of this iron type takes place by heating iron ore in a blast furnace. Hot air is introduced in the blast furnace, which leads to blasts.
The pig iron produced has around 90 to 95% iron, 3 to 4% carbon, and some other elements like silicon and manganese. It is harder than pure iron but still not suitable for day-to-day applications.
4. Wrought Iron
Wrought iron was created by blacksmiths and is made by heating iron in a furnace, which is set to reach a specific temperature. After that, it is hammered and shaped, presenting a form of iron that is low in carbon. It has a grainy look and offers excellent resistance against corrosion, being malleable and having high strength.
Wrought iron was previously used for ornaments, railings, and gates. It is still widely used for these purposes today. It is durable and can be reheated and shaped as needed.
5. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron that has chromium, molybdenum, and nickel. It is highly corrosion-resistant and is used in applications that need durability and are exposed to moisture. Stainless steel is used to manufacture surgical instruments, kitchen utensils, and even some architectural structures.
6. Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is an alloy of iron which has some carbon in it. It's used in many applications like automobiles, construction, and machinery. The carbon content in carbon steel may vary and create different types, such as low carbon steel, high carbon steel, or medium carbon steel.
7. Alloy Steel
Alloy steel is made using iron, carbon, and some other elements, such as nickel, silicon, manganese, copper, etc. The other elements add up to certain properties of the alloy steel, which make it durable, tough, and strong.
8. Tool Steel
Tool steel, as the name suggests, is used to manufacture dies, tools, and machine components. They are high-alloy steels and have iron, carbon, and other elements, including tungsten, nickel, and molybdenum. These elements give tool steel exceptional hardness and resistance against wear. It also passes through the process of tempering for additional strength.
Conclusion
CNC-machined components are manufactured using a wide range of iron types. When it comes to choosing the right iron type, you have to consider the application of the machined components.
We at DEK can offer you a detailed analysis of which type of iron can be chosen for your specific application and components, and we also offer machining services. So, get in touch with us.
