What Is an Example of Elemental Iron?

January 2, 2026 •

4 min read

Wrought iron, a material consisting of nearly pure iron, serves as a prime example of elemental iron in its industrial form. Elemental iron, or pure Fe, exists in many contexts beyond construction, including specially processed powders for food fortification and as the active component in supplements used to combat iron deficiency. Understanding these varied examples is key to distinguishing pure iron from its many compounds.

Quick Summary

Elemental iron, or pure Fe, is found in materials like wrought iron and in industrial applications as fine powders. In nutritional supplements, it's the specific amount of iron available for absorption within a compound, such as ferrous sulfate.

Key Points

Wrought Iron: A classic example of an industrial material that consists of nearly pure elemental iron, known for its malleability.
Iron Powders: Fine, high-purity elemental iron powders are used for food fortification, pharmaceuticals, and powder metallurgy.
Nutritional Supplements: In supplements like ferrous sulfate, elemental iron is the specific amount of pure iron available for the body to absorb, not the total compound weight.
Metallic Meteorites: A rare, naturally occurring example of solid, metallic elemental iron found on Earth's surface.
Bioavailability: It is critical to differentiate between the chemical compound (e.g., ferrous sulfate 325 mg) and the elemental iron content (e.g., 65 mg) to ensure correct dosage.

Understanding Elemental Iron

Elemental iron is the uncombined form of the chemical element iron ($Fe$), possessing a valence state of zero. In its pure state, it is a soft, malleable, and silver-white metal. However, this pure form is relatively rare on Earth's surface due to iron's tendency to oxidize and form compounds like rust. The vast majority of iron on Earth is locked up in minerals or alloys. Consequently, most practical examples of elemental iron involve either refined materials or specific manufacturing and nutritional contexts.

Industrial and Material Examples

Wrought Iron: A Historical Example

One of the most classic examples of elemental iron is wrought iron. Wrought iron is a form of commercial iron with a very low carbon content (less than 0.10%), making it one of the purest forms of iron commercially available. It is a semi-fused mass of iron that contains fibrous slag inclusions, giving it a distinctive 'grain' similar to wood. The fibrous structure and high malleability of wrought iron made it ideal for decorative grills, gates, and ancient structures. While the term is often misused today to refer to mild steel, genuine wrought iron is a true example of a material consisting almost entirely of elemental iron.

Iron Powders: Modern Applications

Elemental iron is also produced as fine powders for various modern applications, where its high purity and controlled particle size are beneficial. These powders are created through specific manufacturing processes, such as the reduction of iron oxides or electrolysis. Examples include:

Electrolytic Iron Powder: Produced via an electrolytic process, this powder is often of very high purity (e.g., 99.6% iron) and is used for specific industrial tasks and food fortification.
Hydrogen-Reduced Iron Powder: Made by reducing iron oxides using hydrogen at high temperatures. The resulting powder is sponge-like and porous.
Carbonyl Iron Powder: A highly pure iron powder used in food and pharmaceutical industries due to its controlled particle size and high purity level (≥98%).

Natural Occurrences: The Exception to the Rule

While industrial examples are refined, a rare natural source of elemental iron is found in iron meteorites. These metallic bodies, which originate from space, contain iron in its unoxidized, elemental form.

Elemental Iron in Nutrition and Supplements

The Bioavailable Component of Supplements

In nutritional supplements, the term 'elemental iron' is used to specify the amount of absorbable iron within an iron-containing compound, such as a salt. This is a crucial distinction for both proper dosing and understanding the body's uptake. The larger number listed on a supplement's label often refers to the total weight of the compound (e.g., ferrous sulfate), while the smaller, more important number refers to the elemental iron—the portion the body actually utilizes.

Examples from Supplements

Different iron salts contain varying percentages of elemental iron by weight. Here are some common examples:

Ferrous Sulfate: A standard 325 mg tablet of ferrous sulfate contains about 65 mg of elemental iron, which is approximately 20% by weight.
Ferrous Fumarate: This compound contains a higher percentage of elemental iron, at roughly 33% by weight.
Ferrous Gluconate: This iron salt has a lower percentage, containing about 12% elemental iron by weight.

The Difference: Elemental Iron vs. Iron Compounds

To clarify the distinction, a comparison table can be helpful:


Feature	Elemental Iron (Fe)	Iron Compounds (e.g., Ferrous Sulfate)
Chemical State	Pure, uncombined metal in a zero oxidation state.	Iron bound to other elements, such as oxygen or sulfate, in an ionic state (Fe²⁺ or Fe³⁺).
Appearance	In bulk form, a solid, silver-white, malleable metal. As powders, gray to black.	Varies widely. Ferrous sulfate is typically greenish to white crystals. Rust ($Fe_2O_3$) is a reddish-brown powder.
Bioavailability	In food fortification and supplements, it refers to the precise amount of iron the body can absorb.	Refers to the total weight of the entire chemical compound. The elemental iron content must be calculated from this.
Applications	Wrought iron manufacturing, powdered metals for industrial use and food fortification.	Most iron ores, food sources (heme and non-heme iron), and supplements.

Conclusion

An example of elemental iron is not limited to a single substance but depends on the context, whether industrial or nutritional. In metallurgy, wrought iron represents a near-pure form of the metal used for its malleability and strength. In food fortification and supplements, elemental iron is a processed powder or the active component within a larger compound, where its quantity is precisely measured for biological absorption. From the structural integrity of wrought iron to the medicinal value in supplements like ferrous sulfate, understanding what constitutes elemental iron is essential for both material science and human health. The ability to identify the pure metal, particularly in supplements, ensures proper iron intake and prevents deficiency.

For more information on dietary iron, visit the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements' fact sheet at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common industrial example is wrought iron, which is made from a semi-fused mass of iron that is nearly pure, containing very little carbon.

Ferrous sulfate contains approximately 20% elemental iron by weight. A standard 325 mg tablet of ferrous sulfate contains about 65 mg of elemental iron, which is the amount available for the body to absorb.

Food-grade elemental iron powders, such as reduced or electrolytic iron, are produced by reducing iron oxides using agents like hydrogen or by electrodeposition. They must meet strict purity standards like those from the Food Chemical Codex (FCC).

Elemental iron is the amount of pure iron that the body can actually absorb and use to produce hemoglobin and prevent iron deficiency anemia. The total weight of the supplement compound is less important than its elemental iron content.

No, the iron found in meat (heme iron) and plant-based foods (non-heme iron) is bound within compounds. It is not in its pure, elemental form.

Yes, an overdose of elemental iron can be toxic, particularly in children. It can lead to severe side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and in extreme cases, organ damage or death.

Elemental iron powder is pure metallic iron (Fe) in a zero-oxidation state, while ferrous sulfate ($FeSO_4$) is an ionic compound. Ferrous sulfate generally has better bioavailability for supplements than most elemental iron powders, although some high-purity electrolytic powders can be highly absorbable.