General Information
Properties    Historical Background    General Information    References


Where can iron oxide be found? Iron oxide can be found wherever there is iron exposed to the oxygen in the atmosphere. Iron deposits can be found in iron mines all around the world, and in cities where iron is used as a material in construction and other things. Iron oxide is very commonly seen in the form of rust.
 


An iron oxide pigment factory (14).

How is iron oxide obtained? Natural iron oxide is not uncommon. But, to synthesize it easily, iron ore must be mined. When iron ores are heated to separate the iron from its other elements that it was bonded to, the pure iron that is produced will immediately start reacting with the oxygen in the air to become a stable compound, iron oxide.

 

Natural Abundance: There can be no set natural abundance of iron oxide, since its levels are always fluctuating. Iron oxide is constantly being created and decomposed.

Reaction Tendencies: Iron oxide will decompose into its elements before boiling. The formation of iron oxide can be prevented by adding an additive to the raw iron; many different substances can be used. Otherwise, iron oxide does not tend to have any further reactions after its synthesis. See below for iron oxide’s uses as a catalyst.

Uses
-pigment: Iron oxide is commonly used as a pigment for coloring all sorts of materials, like paints, plastics, and rubber. It is also used for the dye in tattoos. The major colors that can be created by iron oxide are red, black, yellow, and brown.

-catalyst: Iron oxide can be used as a catalyst, or a means to create a reaction between two other substances without being used itself, in many reactions. One reaction in which iron oxide is a catalyst is the converting of carbon monoxide, a toxic gas, into carbon dioxide, a necessary gas for the planet. Another instance in which iron oxide is used as a catalyst is the synthesis of ammonia. Many other reactions can be performed using iron oxide as a catalyst.

-magnets: Certain magnets, called “ceramic” or “ferrite” magnets, use iron oxide as a raw material, along with barium or strontium carbonate. These magnets are inexpensive and they have a high force, but they are brittle and crack easily. 

-source of heat: When iron oxide is reacted with aluminum, it releases great amounts of heat, enough to weld metals together. The exothermic reaction of iron and oxygen to create rust is widely used in heat packs.

 

Ferrite magnets (5)

Dangers
-Iron oxide is not toxic, although some dangers are present when the fumes or dust of iron oxide are inhaled.
-Inhalation of any metallic fumes or dust can cause irritation to the throat and nasal area. They can also irritate the eyes.
-Iron oxide in high concentrations in the form of dust or fumes can cause metal fume fever.
-Metal fume fever is not extremely critical to health, causing a fever, sore/irritated/dry throat and mouth, and a metallic taste. This fever usually only lasts from 12 to 48 hours.
-Extended inhalation of iron oxide in high concentrations in the form of dust or fumes can cause pulmonary effects, eventually resulting in siderosis (inflammation of the lungs).

 

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