Iron oxide. It is a chemical compound formed by iron and oxygen . It is a product that was formed millions of years ago when due to the different movements suffered by the earth .
Summary
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- 1 Features
- 2 Manufacturing process
- 3 varieties
- 4 Applications of oxides
- 5 Oxide nanoparticles
- 6 How to remove oxides
- 7 Sources
characteristics
The incandescent poor iron coming from the interior of the earth, leaves out being trapped between several layers of stone , between which it would cool down, acquiring the hue that would vary, depending on that cooling, from yellowish or ocher shades to blackish or black shades, meanwhile passing through different shades of red, brown and orange depending on the nature of the mineral , the temperature acquired inside the earth and the cooling speed in the highest layers of it.
Fabrication process
The natural iron oxide is extracted from mines that are either exploited in the open air as if it were a quarry, or from the inside opening cavities on the reef. Through a selection and classification process, it passes to the milling and packaging phase. From there it is already ready for commercialization in the different industrial markets where they are used.
Synthetic iron oxide is created by the chemical reaction that occurs by adding certain acids to scrap metal, subject to certain temperatures and pressure. This creates a paste that will obtain one or another hue depending on the acid and the temperature used. This paste has to be dried and mortar, for its subsequent packaging and marketing. The difference between synthetic and natural iron oxide is essentially in the manufacturing process.
Synthetic iron oxide has more pigmentation power than natural iron oxide, but it cannot be said that it has less quality, since it has a high antioxidant power , which is why it has been used for many years in the manufacture of antioxidant and anticorrosive paints, such as boat paints , primers, and many other types of high quality industrial paints.
Synthetic iron oxides are more difficult to produce, since it is difficult to control the chemical reaction to which iron and acids must be subjected , otherwise it can lead us to produce an oxidizing paint instead of a paint. antioxidant, which is what we are looking for. Only with demanding quality controls can optimum results be obtained in these chemical reactions.
Varieties
- 16 iron oxides are known: These compounds are oxides or hydroxides and oxyhydroxides.
- Among the oxides are: (hematite, magnetite, maghemite, β-Fe 2O 3 , ε-Fe 2 O 3 , Wüstite.
- Among the hydroxides are: (goetite, lepidocrocite, akaganeite, feroxyhite, δ-FeOOH, high pressure FeO (OH), ferrihydrite, bernalite, Fe (OH) 2).
Applications of oxides
Some of these oxides are used in ceramics , particularly in glazes. Iron oxides, like the oxides of other metals, provide the color of some glasses after being heated to high temperatures. They are also used as a pigment. Natural iron oxides are pigments that have been used since man began his wanderings on the planet, they have used it, among other things, to paint their bodies and to decorate their caves and houses. Today it is used as a pigment in many different industrial applications.
- Industry the cement: Used for pigmenting any type of cement, mortar, grout, floors, terrazzo, tiles , blocks , stucco, etc.
- Paints: Primers, waterproofing, enamels, decorative paint, coatings, etc.
- Plastics: Masterbatch, PVC, etc.
- Industry the paper: Paperboard, cigar holder, etc.
- Glass Industry, Foundry Industry, CeramicIndustry , Abrasives, Pet Food, Cosmetics, Fertilization, Rubber Skins, Asphalt etc.
- Iron (II) oxide or ferrous oxide (FeO). Ferrous oxide dust can cause explosions as it literally burns.
- Iron (III) oxide or ferric oxide (Fe 2O 3 ). In its natural state it is known as hematite. It is also purified for use as a magnetic storage medium for audio and computing . This is the form of oxide commonly seen in irons and rusty steel structures that attacks from bridges to car bodies and which is extremely destructive.
- Iron (II, III) oxide or ferric iron oxide (Fe 3O 4 ). In its natural state it is known as magnetite, a blackish-colored mineral that constitutes one of the main sources of obtaining iron. This form of rust tends to occur when iron rusts under water, which is why it is often found in tanks or under the waterline of ships.
Oxide nanoparticles
It has now acquired great relevance due to its enormous potential in the field of biomedicine. The nanoparticles of iron oxide are being studied for use as carriers for antitumor drugs such as image – enhancing agents of tissues damaged or detectors molecules whose presence in blood reveals certain diseases.
The already known advantages of nanoparticles, such as their small size, ideal for interacting with cells , viruses , proteins , etc., or the possibility of coating them with other different materials, adds the peculiarity that iron is easily metabolizable within the human body and that it can be magnetic. This fact means that these nanoparticles can be directed inside the body by means of a magnet and used as heat generators, thus destroying malignant tissues.
How to remove oxides
In almost every home there is furniture or decorative objects with components of brass, silver , iron or copper . To all, the passage of time envelops in a patina of rust, green and stains, which diminishes the beauty of the metal and deteriorates its surface. To restore their original appearance, it is necessary to remove rust and apply the appropriate product to prevent further oxidation.
To remove rust from metal surfaces a deoxidizing product and medium grain steel wool should be used . After moistening the latter with the product, the object is rubbed. After a few minutes, the product is allowed to act so that it penetrates the oxide layer. Next, the piece is washed with soap and water until the remains of the ocher foam that has come off the object are removed.
If any rust remains, the previous steps must be repeated. If the rust particles have soiled the steel wool too much, a new one is discarded and used. Otherwise, the wool itself would stain the surface. After soaping the piece again, it is checked if the result is satisfactory. If not, the whole process will have to be repeated.
If the piece is made of iron, the rust is removed with an oxide destroyer of this material. This product destroys the oxide by phosphating and has the advantage that it facilitates the adherence of the paint. It is applied with a brush , left to act and rinse with water. Finally, the surface is reviewed with a fine steel wool.
