Pig Iron
What is pig iron?
Pig iron is the product of smelting iron ore (also ilmenite) with a high-carbon fuel and reductant such as coke, usually with limestone as a flux. Charcoal and anthracite are also used as fuel and reductant.
How is it produced?
Pig iron is produced by smelting or iron ore in blast furnaces or by smelting ilmenite in electric furnaces.
Pig iron is supplied in a variety of ingot sizes and weights, ranging from 3 kg up to more than 50 kg.
The vast majority of pig iron is produced and consumed within integrated steel mill complexes. In this context the term “pig iron” is something of a misnomer: within integrated steel mills, blast furnace iron is transferred directly to the steel plant in liquid form, better known as “hot metal” or “blast furnace iron.”
Why “pig” iron?
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Merchant pig iron
Merchant pig iron is cold pig iron, cast into ingots and sold to third parties as feedstock for the steel and ferrous casting industries.
Merchant pig iron comprises three main types:
- basic pig iron: used mainly in electric arc steelmaking
- foundry pig iron (also known as haematite pig iron): used in mainly in the manufacture of grey iron castings in cupola furnaces
- high purity pig iron (also known as nodular pig iron): used in the manufacture of ductile (also known as nodular or spheroidal graphite – SG) iron castings.
There are also various sub-types, for example low manganese basic pig iron, semi-nodular pig iron etc.
Merchant pig iron is produced by:
- dedicated merchant plants - all of whose production is sold to external customers: or
- integrated steel mills - with iron that is surplus to their internal requirements and cast into ingots and sold to the merchant market.
Merchant pig iron is sold to third parties as feedstock for the steel and ferrous casting industries.
Composition and characteristics of pig iron
Pig iron contains at least 92% Fe and has a very high carbon content, typically 3.5-4.5%. Other constituents of pig iron are shown in the below table (% by weight).
| Type | C% | Si% | Mn% | S% | P% |
| Basic | 3.5-4.5 | ≤1.25 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.05 | 0.08-0.15 |
| Foundry | 3.5-4.1 | 2.5-3.5 | 0.5-1.2 | ≤0.04 | ≤0.12 |
| High Purity / Nodular | 3.7-4.7 | 0.05-1.5 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.035 |
Pig iron type
C %
Si %
Mn %
S %
P %
Basic
3.5-4.5
≤1.25
≤1.0
≤0.05
0.08-0.15
Foundry
3.5-4.1
2.5-3.5
0.5-1.2
≤0.04
≤0.12
High purity / nodular
3.7-4.7
0.05-1.5
≤0.05
≤0.025
≤0.035
Shipping and handling of pig iron
Pig iron is loaded in a variety of ways, e.g. by conveyor or in skips.
For the purposes of the International Maritime Organisation’s International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code, the schedule for Pig Iron classifies Pig Iron as Group C (cargoes which are neither liable to liquefy nor possess chemical hazards). Please refer to our guide below.
Pig Iron resources
Pig Iron: Guide for Transporting and Handling at Terminals
Use of Basic Pig Iron in the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) for Steelmaking
Use of High Purity Pig Iron for Foundries Producing Ductile Iron Castings
Use of Foundry Pig Iron in Grey Iron Castings
More information on pig iron
For further information about pig iron and its advantages in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking and ferrous casting, please see our fact sheets.
For answers to the most common technical questions on OBMs and their use and effects in different furnaces, see our OBM FAQs.
OBM production
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Fact sheets on ore-based metallics
What are Ore-Based Metallics?
An overview of Ore-Based Metallics (OBMs), types, typical benefits in use and general specifications.
Use and Benefits of Ore-Based Metallics
A more detailed coverage of the benefits of using OBMs in EAF steelmaking.
Use of Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) in the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) for Steelmaking
Background to and advantages of use of HBI in the EAF and general characteristics.
Use of Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) in the Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) for Steelmaking
Background to and advantages of use of HBI in the BOF and general characteristics.
Use of Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) in the Blast Furnace (BF) for Hot Metal Production
Background to and reasons for use of HBI in the blast furnace and general characteristics.
Use of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) in the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) for Steelmaking
Background to and advantages of use of DRI in the EAF and general characteristics.
Use of Basic Pig Iron in the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) for Steelmaking
Background to and advantages of use of pig iron in the EAF and general characteristics.
Use of Granulated Pig Iron (GPI) in the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) for Steelmaking
Background to and advantages of use of GPI in the EAF and general characteristics.
Use of High Purity Pig Iron for Foundries Producing Ductile Iron Castings
Background to and benefits of using HPPI in production of ductile iron castings and general characteristics.
Use of Foundry Pig Iron in Grey Iron Castings
Background to and benefits of using Foundry Pig Iron in production of grey iron castings and general characteristics.
Relevance of Iron Ore to OBMs
Basic information about iron ore and its relevance to production of ore-based metallics.
Value-in-Use of Ore Based Metallics (OBMs) in EAF Steelmaking
An overview of the value-in-use concept and IIMA's model
Types of OBMs
Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)
DRI is the product of the direct reduction of iron ore in the solid state by carbon monoxide and hydrogen derived from natural gas or coal.
More about DRIHot Briquetted Iron (HBI)
HBI is a premium form of DRI that has been compacted at high temperature making it less reactive.
More about HBIPig Iron
Pig iron is the product of smelting iron ore (also ilmenite) with a high-carbon fuel and reductant such as coke, usually with limestone as a flux.
More about Pig IronGranulated Pig Iron (GPI)
Granulating excess pig iron produces a product GPI which can be used as BOF coolant or as feedstock for electric arc furnaces, cupolas and induction furnaces.
More about GPI