Iron, Cobalt, Nickel

Abstract

Iron (Fe) is, next to aluminium, the most widely distributed and abundant metal, constituting about 4–6 per cent of the earth’s crust. It is found native in meteoritic masses and in eruptive rocks, mostly associated with allied metals such as nickel and cobalt. In addition to the essentially iron minerals, iron enters into the composition of a great number of rock-forming silicates, the most important of which are mentioned below. Iron and steel form the foundation of modern industry, and are used in enormous and increasing quantities. Thus, the production of iron ore rose from 430 million tons in 1959 to nearly 600 million tons in 1966 and of steel over the same period from 350 million tons to 465 million tons.