Alberto Hassan

Abstract:

Highly metalized and virtually free of impurities, ore-based iron metallics (OBM) are ideal supplements to steel scrap for making various grades of steel products in the most economical way. OBM is the collective term for metallic charge materials made by processing iron oxides. These include pig iron, hot briquetted iron (HBI), direct reduced iron (DRI), and iron nuggets. OBM, especially pig iron and HBI, are often shipped considerable distances from where they are produced to be used in a variety of melting vessels.<br />This presentation will introduce the physical and chemical characteristics of OBM and will show where merchant pig iron and HBI, the two most widely traded OBM, are produced. HBI, a physically enhanced form of DRI created particularly for the merchant market, will be described in some detail in order to better understand its similarities and differences with DRI and how each is best used.<br />A review of the benefits of using OBM and a few words about the International Iron Metallics Association (IIMA) will be included in the presentation.