Production of Iron & Steel

Definition

The process of extracting iron from ore and refining it into steel, a stronger and more versatile metal. This was a key aspect of the Industrial Revolution.

Analogy

Think of the production of iron and steel like baking a cake. The raw ingredients (iron ore) are mixed together and heated (smelting), then cooled to create a basic cake (iron). But if you want to make that cake even better, you add frosting and decorations (carbon) to turn it into an impressive dessert (steel).

Related terms

Smelting: The process used to extract a base metal from its ore by heating beyond the melting point.

Industrial Revolution: A period in history when major changes occurred in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transport, and technology due to the use of steam power and mechanized machinery.

Metallurgy: The branch of science that studies the properties and uses of metals.