Tag: Pig iron

Iron is the most abundant element on Earth by mass, with its alloys forming the backbone of modern civilization. Beyond its pure metallic state, the four types of iron—pig iron, wrought iron, cast iron, and steel—each possess distinct characteristics shaped by their processing and carbon content.

Iron, the most common element on Earth by mass, makes up a significant portion of the planet's crust. However, the "iron" used in manufacturing is not a single material, but one of several iron-carbon alloys. This article details what are the three different types of iron, distinguishing between cast, wrought, and pig iron based on their properties and production.

Iron is one of the most-recycled materials in the world, with a global recycling rate of over 60%. Far from a single material, iron actually comes in several distinct forms, primarily differentiated by their carbon content. Understanding what are the three varieties of iron—pig, cast, and wrought—is fundamental to metallurgy and material science.