Which of the following is NOT listed as a product pig iron can become?

• A. Cast Iron
• B. Wrought Iron
• C. Steel
• D. Bronze

Answer: (D)

Pig iron is a very crude form of iron with a high carbon content and impurities, and it isn’t a finished product. It’s the starting material that can be refined into different iron and steel products. Cast iron is produced by melting pig iron and letting it solidify in molds, giving a brittle but castable material. Steel is made by lowering the carbon content and adding other elements to achieve desired strength and toughness. Wrought iron is produced by removing most of the carbon and impurities to create a very ductile, hammered product. Bronze, however, isn’t iron at all; it’s an alloy of copper and tin. Without changing the base metal to copper and tin, you don’t make bronze from pig iron. That’s why bronze isn’t a product pig iron can become.