Iron
From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change
- This article is about iron the metal. For the tool called iron, see ironing.
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Iron (Fe) is the most common metal on Earth. It is used a lot because it is very strong and cheap. Iron is the main thing used to make steel. As iron is magnetic, it can be used to make a magnet.
Iron is one of the most important metals on the Earth because it can be used for a lot of jobs. If it is exposed to water, iron will rust easily.
In chemistry, iron is element 26, a transition metal in Group 8. Its symbol is Fe, from the Latin word for iron, Ferrum.
There are three common forms of irons:
- Cast iron has 2% – 3.5% carbon and tiny amounts of manganese. It melts if it gets too hot. It has a melting point of about 1150 °C (1470 K). It is very strong, hard and brittle (it breaks if you try to bend it). It can be melted and made easily into any shape. It is used to make drain covers, gas fuel tanks, and car engine blocks.
- Wrought iron contains less than 0.5% carbon. It can be easily shaped and bent when red-hot. It is used for making railings, horseshoes, chains, nails, and garden gates.
- Steel is an alloy of iron, that is even stronger and less likely to rust.
