Question

Which of the following has the maximum percentage of carbon in it?

• A. Pig iron
• B. Cast iron
• C. Hard steel
• D. Wrought iron

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Pig iron

Explanation for the correct option

(A) Pig iron

Alloys

• Alloys are referred to as a blend of metals or metals combined with other elements.
• Properties of metals can be enhanced by the addition of certain metals or elements.
• Example: Zinc amalgam is an alloy of zinc $\left(90\%\right)$ and mercury $10\%$.

Pig iron

• Pig iron, the byproduct of smelting iron ore in a blast furnace, is used to make cast iron.
• Along with some silica and dross constituents, pig iron contains a significantly larger proportion of carbon—around $3.8–4.7$ percent.

Explanation for incorrect options

(B) Cast iron

• Cast iron refers to a class of carbon alloys with more than $2\%$ carbon content.
• Cast iron mostly consists of silicon in the range of $1-3\%$ and carbon in the range of $2.5-5\%$.

(C) Hard Steel

• Steel is an iron alloy with small amounts of carbon added to increase its strength and resistance to fracture.
• Steel is bendable and ductile because of its comparatively low carbon content around $0.05-0.30$ percent.

(D) Wrought iron

• The term "wrought iron" refers to an iron alloy with an extremely low carbon percentage, often less than $0.08$ percent.
• Since it was hammered and rolled and may emit molten slag when heated, wrought iron gets its name.

Therefore, the correct option is (A) Pig iron.