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Iron (Fe)
Iron (Fe)
Element 26 on the periodic table. A common metal element belonging to the transition metals.
Iron makes up about one- twentieth of the Earth’s crust, being the second most abundant metal after aluminium. However, it is
far easier to separate from its compounds than aluminium and has become the world’s most useful metal. Iron is the most common magnetic element.
 Iron – Iron or steel is used as the support for many other metals. For example, these historic 19th-century bathtubs were made of iron and then plated with zinc to protect them from corrosion. Plating of iron with brass, chromium, and tin were common in the 19th century because plastics, aluminium, and other materials had not been commercially developed.
 Iron – This iron anchor is several hundred years old and has corroded in the warm humid coastal climate of Florida.
Iron is a steel-grey metal. It is quite reactive and readily corrodes to produce brown iron oxides, commonly known as rust.
Iron is also an important part of the human body. For example, it makes blood red.
Refined iron contains about 4% carbon. That makes it quite brittle. When most of the carbon is removed, it becomes easier to work. It is then called steel.
 Iron – Iron is found
in many natural compounds, where it tends to add colour. This picture shows the mineral pyrite (iron sulphide). Pyrite is also know as ‘fool’s gold’ because its colour is similar to that of gold. However, it is much less dense and, unlike gold, corrodes easily in air to produce a grey powder.
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