Page 3 - 3. Lesson Notes- Ch-3 Mettalurgy-2

➢ Reduction using a MORE REACTIVE METAL as the reducing agent
(Thermite process)-

Thermite Process is the method of obtaining liquid metal by reduction of the
oxide with aluminium (or a more reactive metal) powder.

As a large amount of heat is released during the process, it’s known as Thermite
process.

Example-

i. Extraction of Iron by Thermite process-

In this process, iron oxide-Fe2O3 (rust) reacts with aluminium to produce molten iron.

When the mixture is ignited with magnesium ribbon, it starts reacting as the
aluminium is more reactive than the iron.

It produces iron and aluminium oxide at an intensely high temperature of about
3000 degrees Celsius. This results in the formation of molten Iron.

- A very important use of Thermite reaction is the welding of broken
railway tracks and parts of heavy iron machinery.-

Fig a. Welding of broken Railway Tracks using Molten Iron from Thermite
reaction.

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