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Pig iron
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<p>Pig iron, also known as crude iron, is an <a href="/facts/Intermediate_good/xgWaVboo">intermediate good</a> used by the <a href="/facts/Ferrous_metallurgy/XpwtCB0X">iron industry</a> in the production of <a href="/facts/Steel/aN6qWo4H">steel</a>. It is developed by <a href="/facts/Smelting/Ghdvhlga">smelting</a> <a href="/facts/Iron_ore/rQMEvgMh">iron ore</a> in a <a href="/facts/Blast_furnace/DJzUB2EG">blast furnace</a>. Pig iron has a high <a href="/facts/Carbon/ukrgQexo">carbon</a> content, typically 3.8–4.7%, along with <a href="/facts/Silicon_dioxide/A3WILp6J">silica</a> and other <a href="/facts/Dross/ACyc00Ic">dross</a>, which makes it <a href="/facts/Brittle/cn27H2vg">brittle</a> and not useful directly as a material except for limited applications. </p>