Manufacturing Technology: Theory and Problems, Second Edition

CHAPTER 3

Ferrous Materials and Their Heat Treatment

• Iron is the basic constituent of ferrous materials. It has the melting point of 1539°C and the specific gravity of 7.87.
• Pure iron is rarely found in nature. In pure state it lacks strength but its strength can be increased by alloying. Pure iron finds application in making magnets.
• Two important ores of iron are: haematite (Fe₂O₃) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄).
• Cast iron, steel and stainless steel are important ferrous materials.
• Iron contains various alloying elements, important among them includes carbon, manganese, chromium, nickel, molybdenum and vanadium.
• Ferrous materials have the maximum application in manufacturing industries on account of their better mechanical properties.
• Wrought iron ...