is it because the coke is more reactive than the iron ore and limestone that is also used in the limestone.?
2007-12-06 23:47:20 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Coke (carbon) is a reducing agent, and combines with the oxygen in the iron ore, producing carbon dioxide and releasing the iron. The limestone (calcium carbonate) is used as a flux to combine with the silicate impurities to form calcium silicate slag; which floats to the surface.
2007-12-06 23:56:20 · answer #1 · answered by AndrewG 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in iron smelting, carbon is important to make iron into steel.
The carbon bonds and hardens the final product by reducing mirco-crystalline fractures in the iron.
So steel is about .5-2% carbon... usually 10-15% nickel or chromium.... depending on whether it's stainless steel.... and the rest is iron.
2007-12-07 08:00:37 · answer #2 · answered by Ben B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋