Pig Iron | International Iron Metallics Association

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Charcoal and anthracite are also used as fuel and reductant. </p><p>Pig iron is produced by <a href="pig-iron-bf.html">smelting or iron ore in blast furnaces</a> or by <a href="pig-iron-ilmenite-route.html">smelting ilmenite in electric furnaces</a>. </p><figure><img src="assets/uploads/collage_pig_iron.jpg" alt="Pig iron is supplied in a variety of ingot sizes and weights, ranging from 3 kg up to more than 50 kg." data-caption="Pig iron is supplied in a variety of ingot sizes and weights, ranging from 3 kg up to more than 50 kg."><figcaption>Pig iron is supplied in a variety of ingot sizes and weights, ranging from 3 kg up to more than 50 kg.</figcaption></figure><p>The vast majority of pig iron is produced and consumed within integrated steel mill complexes. In this context the term “pig iron” is something of a misnomer: within integrated steel mills, blast furnace iron is transferred directly to the steel plant in liquid form, better known as "hot metal" or "blast furnace iron." </p><p>The term “pig iron” dates back to the time when hot metal was cast into ingots before being charged to the steel plant. The moulds were laid out in sand beds such that they could be fed from a common runner. The group of moulds resembled a litter of sucking pigs, the ingots being called “pigs” and the runner the “sow.” </p><h2>Merchant pig iron</h2><p>Merchant pig iron is cold pig iron, cast into ingots and sold to third parties as feedstock for the steel and ferrous casting industries. </p><p>Merchant pig iron is produced by: </p><ul> <li><strong>dedicated merchant plants</strong> - all of whose production is sold to external customers: or</li> <li><strong>integrated steel mills</strong> - with iron that is surplus to their internal requirements and cast into ingots and sold to the merchant market.</li> </ul><h3>Types of merchant pig iron</h3><p>Merchant pig iron comprises three main types: </p><ol> <li><strong>basic pig iron:</strong> used mainly in electric arc steelmaking</li> <li><strong>foundry pig iron</strong> (also known as <strong>haematite pig iron</strong>): used in mainly in the manufacture of grey iron castings in cupola furnaces</li> <li><strong>high purity pig iron</strong> (also known as <strong>nodular pig iron</strong>): used in the manufacture of ductile [also known as nodular or spheroidal graphite – SG] iron castings.</li> </ol><p>There are also various sub-types, for example <strong>low manganese basic pig iron</strong>, <strong>semi-nodular pig iron</strong> etc. </p><h2>Composition and characteristics</h2><p>Pig iron contains at least 92% Fe and has a very high carbon content, typically 3.5 - 4.5%. </p><p>Other constituents are given in the table below:<br> </p><table> <caption> <h4>Typical pig iron characteristics (% by weight)</h4></caption> <thead> <tr> <th width="25%"> Pig iron type </th> <th width="15%"> C </th> <th width="15%"> Si </th> <th width="15%"> Mn </th> <th width="15%"> S </th> <th width="15%">P </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td> Basic </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> 3.5 - 4.5 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> ≤1.25 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> ≤1.0 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> ≤0.05 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> 0.08-0.15 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Foundry </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> 3.5 - 4.1 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> 2.5 - 3.5 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> 0.5 - 1.2 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> ≤0.04 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> ≤0.12 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> High Purity/Nodular </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> 3.7 - 4.7 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> 0.05 -1.5 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> ≤0.05 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> ≤0.025 </td> <td style="text-align: center;"> ≤0.035 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table><p>Pig iron is supplied in a variety of ingot sizes and weights, ranging from 3 kg up to more than 50 kg. </p><h2>Benefits in steelmaking and ferrous casting</h2><p>For further information about pig iron and its advantages in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking and ferrous casting, please see our Fact Sheets:<br> </p><ul> <li><a href="/assets/files/Public-Area/Fact-Sheets/_5_Basic_Pig_Iron_in_EAF_Fact_Sheet_rev3.pdf" target="_blank">Use of Basic Pig Iron in the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) for steelmaking</a></li> <li><a href="/assets/files/Public-Area/Fact-Sheets/_6_High_Purity_Pig_Iron_Fact_Sheet_rev4.pdf" target="_blank">Use of High Purity Pig Iron for Foundries Producing Ductile Iron Castings</a></li> <li><a href="/assets/files/Public-Area/Fact-Sheets/_7_Foundry_Pig_Iron_Fact_Sheet_rev3.pdf" target="_blank">Use of Foundry Pig Iron in Grey Iron Castings.</a></li> </ul><h2>Shipping and handling of Pig Iron</h2><p>For the purposes of the International Maritime Organisation's International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code, the schedule for Pig Iron classifies Pig Iron as Group C (cargoes which are neither liable to liquefy nor possess chemical hazards). Please refer to our guide: <a href="/assets/files/Public-Area/Guides/Pig-Iron-Terminals-Guide.pdf" target="_blank">Pig Iron: Guide to Transporting & Handling at Terminals</a> </p><figure><img src="assets/uploads/collage_pig_iron_handling.jpg" alt="Pig iron is loaded in a variety of ways, e.g. by conveyor or in skips." data-caption="Pig iron is loaded in a variety of ways, e.g. by conveyor or in skips."><figcaption>Pig iron is loaded in a variety of ways, e.g. by conveyor or in skips.</figcaption></figure><p><br> </p> </main> <aside class="small-12 medium-4 large-3 columns"> <div data-sticky-container> <div class="sticky" data-sticky data-anchor="maincontent" data-margin-top="4">  <div> <ul class="menu vertical"> <h3>Ore Based Metallics</h3> <li> Pig Iron </li><li> <a href="hbi.html">Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI)</a> </li><li> <a href="dri.html">Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)</a> </li><li> <a href="gpi.html">Granulated Pig Iron (GPI)</a> </li> </ul> </div>    </div> </div> </aside> </div> <section id="footertopper"> <div class="row"> <div class="small-12 medium-6 large-6 columns">   </div> <div class="small-12 medium-6 large-3 columns">   </div> <div class="small-12 medium-12 large-3 columns">  </div> </div> </section>  <footer>  <div class="row hide-for-print"> <div class="columns small-12 medium-6 large-7"> <h4>International Iron Metallics Association</h4> <p>The IIMA is dedicated to those involved in the ore-based metallics value chain - raw material supply, production and transformation, trading and distribution, transportation and logistics, technology and equipment. Its members account for more than 80% of production and international trade in ore-based metallics.<br><br> Ore-based metallics - merchant pig iron (MPI), direct reduced iron (DRI), hot briquetted iron (HBI), granulated pig iron (GPI) - are value-adding feedstock materials for the iron & steel and ferrous casting industries and IIMA has as its principal objective their promotion through product and market support, innovation, education and regulatory support.</p> </div> <div class="columns hide-for-small hide-for-medium large-1">   </div> <div class="columns small-6 medium-3 large-2"> <ul class="menu vertical"><li class="first"><a href="contact-us.html" title="Contact Us" >Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="news-and-events.html" title="News & Events" >News & Events</a></li> <li><a href="become-a-member.html" title="Join Us" >Join Us</a></li> <li><a href="about-us.html" title="About IIMA" >About IIMA</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="site-search.html" title="Search" >Search</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="columns small-6 medium-3 large-3"> <ul class="menu vertical"><li class="first"><a href="disclaimer.html" title="Disclaimer" >Disclaimer</a></li> <li><a href="assets/files/Public-Area/Membership/IIMAArticlesofAssociationJuly2021Final.pdf" title="Articles of Association" target="_blank">Articles of Association</a></li> <li><a href="code-of-conduct.html" title="Code of Conduct" >Code of Conduct</a></li> <li><a href="privacy.html" title="Privacy" >Privacy</a></li> <li><a href="acknowledgements.html" title="Acknowledgements" >Acknowledgements</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="sitemap.html" title="Sitemap" >Sitemap</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </footer>  <div class="row hide-for-print">  <div class="small-12 medium-9 large-9 columns" id="credits"> <p>© 2021 International Iron Metallics Association | powered by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bluespark.co.uk" title="blue spark web design sevenoaks kent">blue spark</a>*</p> </div>  <div class="small-12 medium-3 large-3 columns hide-for-print" id="social"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/21228763" title="linkedin" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-linkedin"></i></a>  </div> </div>  <script src="dist/bower_components/jquery/dist/jquery.min.js"></script> <script src="dist/bower_components/what-input/dist/what-input.min.js"></script> <script src="dist/bower_components/foundation-sites/dist/js/foundation.min.js"></script> <script src="dist/js/app-min.js"></script> <script src="dist/bower_components/foundation-sites/dist/js/plugins/foundation.dropdown.js"></script>  <script> $('[data-open-details]').click(function (e) { e.preventDefault(); $(this).next().toggleClass('is-active'); $(this).toggleClass('is-active'); }); </script>   <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="//cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/cookieconsent2/3.0.3/cookieconsent.min.css" /> <script src="//cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/cookieconsent2/3.0.3/cookieconsent.min.js"></script> <script> window.addEventListener("load", function(){ window.cookieconsent.initialise({ "palette": { "popup": { "background": "#efefef", "text": "#404040" }, "button": { "background": "#669933" } }, "content": { "href": "http://www.metallics.org/privacy.html" } })}); </script> </body> </html>

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Pig Iron | International Iron Metallics Association