174 



METALS USED IN THE HOME 



& Iron Ore. 

 o Lime5tone. 



Drops of 

 llelted Iron. 



collects in a receptacle at the bottom of the furnace. From 

 there, the molten iron is drawn off into molds where it cools and 



solidifies as pig or cast iron. 

 The limestone combines with 

 the impurities in the ore and 

 with the ashes of the coal, and 

 forms slag. Molten slag is 

 lighter than molten iron, and 

 floats on top of the iron. The 

 molten slag can therefore be 

 drawn off into separate vessels. 

 Iron. Iron is the most 

 useful of all metals, and it is 

 also one of the most widely dis- 

 tributed metals. The United 

 States is particularly rich in 

 iron ore, producing about 

 50,000,000 tons yearly. 



Iron is an extremely strong 

 metal and can support a tre- 

 mendous weight, and it is so 

 rigid that it can withstand the 

 fiercest gale. Our modern sky- 

 scrapers, our smaller factories, 

 and office buildings have frame- 

 works of iron, and are thus 

 able to withstand the mechani- 

 cal forces of destruction. Iron 

 is superior to all other metals 

 for bridges, piers, and building 

 supports. Railings, rails, coaches, farm implements, anchors, 

 nails, chains, bolts, wires, and hundreds of other necessary 

 articles are made of this metal. 



Drops of 

 fatted Slag. 



A.rJgterid/ 

 on Convenor. 



FIG. 62. A blast furnace. 



