Pig iron is a crude form of iron that is produced in a blast furnace and used as a raw material for further refinement into steel, wrought iron, or cast iron. It gets its name from the shape of the molds used to cast it, which resemble a row of piglets feeding from a sow.
Key Characteristics:
• Carbon Content: High carbon content (3.5–4.5%), making it brittle and unsuitable for direct use.
• Appearance: Typically produced as solid ingots or bars with a rough texture.
• Primary Use:
• As an intermediary in the production of steel and other forms of refined iron.
• For casting into finished goods when melted and mixed with other materials.
Role in History:
Pig iron was a crucial raw material in the 19th-century industrial era, supporting industries like construction, transportation, and shipbuilding. It was commonly transported on Great Lakes schooners to supply ironworks and steel mills.