Nyersvasba

Nyersvasba is a Hungarian term that translates to "raw iron" or "pig iron" in English. It refers to the impure form of iron produced by smelting iron ore in a blast furnace. This process involves heating iron ore with coke (a fuel derived from coal) and a fluxing agent, typically limestone, in a tall, chimney-like furnace. The high temperatures and chemical reactions within the blast furnace reduce the iron oxides in the ore to molten iron.

The resulting molten iron, known as nyersvasba, contains a significant amount of carbon (typically 3.5% to 4.5%) along with other impurities such as silicon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur. This high carbon content makes nyersvasba brittle and unsuitable for most direct applications. It is, however, a crucial intermediate product in the steelmaking process.

Nyersvasba is typically cast into ingots called "pigs," which is why it is also known as pig iron. These pigs are then transported to steel mills where they are further refined. The primary method of refining nyersvasba into steel involves reducing the carbon content and removing other impurities through oxidation. This is commonly achieved using processes like the basic oxygen furnace or the electric arc furnace. Therefore, while nyersvasba itself has limited use, it is the foundational material for producing the vast majority of steel used in modern industry and construction.