Iron does not occur in the native state as it is oxidized easily. Iron in elemental state occurs in meteorites. Iron is an important of haemoglobin of blood. Iron is also present plant and animal tissues. The most important ores of the iron ore are the oxides,carbonates as sulphides listed below. Iron does not occur in the native state as it is oxidized easily. Iron in elemental state occurs in meteorites. Iron is an important of haemoglobin of blood. Iron is also present plant and animal tissues. The most important ores of the iron ore are the oxides,carbonates as sulphides listed below.Magnetite…………..Fe2O4Haematite…………..Fe2O3Limonite……………Fe2O3.3H2OSiderite……………..Fe2CO3 Iron pyrites…………...FeS2

The metallurgy of iron involves the manufacture of cast iron. Following steps are important in the manugacture of cast iron. The metallurgy of iron involves the manufacture of cast iron. Following steps are important in the manugacture of cast iron. (A).Concentration of the Ore :- Generally haematite is split into pieces, about 1 inch in size, and the washed with water to remove clay, sant etc. Generally haematite is split into pieces, about 1 inch in size, and the washed with water to remove clay, sant etc. (B). Calcination:- The ore is then subjected to calcinations in order to drive out the impurities such as sulphur,arsenic,carbondioxide and moisture. Any ferrous oxide in the ore is oxidized to ferric oxide and thus the formation of ferrous silicate is avoided during smelting. The ore is also rendered porous, thus facilitating reduction in the blast furnace. The ore is then subjected to calcinations in order to drive out the impurities such as sulphur,arsenic,carbondioxide and moisture. Any ferrous oxide in the ore is oxidized to ferric oxide and thus the formation of ferrous silicate is avoided during smelting. The ore is also rendered porous, thus facilitating reduction in the blast furnace.

 (C). Smelting:- The calcined ore is then smelted i.e, reduced with carbon in the presence of a flux. This is done in a blast furnace. It is a steel structure lined with fire bricks. It is about 100ft. high and about 25ft. in diameter at its wider part. The calcined ore is then smelted i.e, reduced with carbon in the presence of a flux. This is done in a blast furnace. It is a steel structure lined with fire bricks. It is about 100ft. high and about 25ft. in diameter at its wider part. It is slightly narrow at the top and again at the bottom. This facilitates a proper flow of the materials. At the top of the furnace there is a cup and cone arrangement by which the charge is fed into the furnace.Near the bottom of the furnace there are several holes called tuyers. Hot air at oC is blown into the furnace through the tuyers to supply oxygen necessary for smelting. It is slightly narrow at the top and again at the bottom. This facilitates a proper flow of the materials. At the top of the furnace there is a cup and cone arrangement by which the charge is fed into the furnace.Near the bottom of the furnace there are several holes called tuyers. Hot air at oC is blown into the furnace through the tuyers to supply oxygen necessary for smelting.