How to Obtain Elements--Iron

I have compiled a list of sources for the elements that are available to the amateur chemist. Iron will be discussed here.

Iron is the most common structural metal in the world. It is very strong, cheap, and sturdy. It is the second most common metal in the earth's crust. It is rarely found in its pure form, but in the form of oxides, which may be reduced to the metal by carbon. Alloys of iron with other metals are ubiquitous. One of iron's biggest problem is its vulnerability to corrosion. Iron rusts readily in moist air, and much research has been done to find out how to make iron corrosion resistant. Iron compounds are used to process water. They are also used as pigments and in vitamin supplements.

In element form: Find an electromagnet core or electrolyze an iron(II) solution with an iron anode to obtain pure iron. All steels are made of more than 50% iron.

In compound form: Rust is iron oxide. Iron(III) chloride is used to etch circuit boards. Iron(II) sulfate is used as an iron supplement.

Here is my sample of iron. It is iron filings, one of the many sources of iron. I have several other iron compounds and objects but they are not featured here.