Download (No.323)The Genesis of Product Making/The Origin of Iron

No. 323
December
2004
Published monthly by
Public Relations Center
General Administration Div.
Nippon Steel Corporation
More about Nippon Steel
http://www.nsc.co.jp WWW
“A Pilgrimage: Colored Fibers Encounter Iron”
(A series of works by Kei Tsuji)
—Contribution for December 2004—
(Works of art focused on “an alliance of iron—closely bound to both earth and man—with the arts of dyeing and weaving”)
Born in Tokyo 1953, Kei Tsuji displays her installations, centered on dyeing and weaving, in deserts, woodlands and waterfronts the
world over. Produced through a fieldwork approach, her installations represent a continuous pursuit of the connection between herself
(dyed and woven cloth) and the realm of time and space (principles of the natural world).
In this issue
Regular Subscription
If you have received the web-version
of Nippon Steel News, you are already
a registered subscriber, thus no new
registration is required.
Associates who wish to become
subscribers are requested to click on
the icon to complete and submit the
registration form.
Feature Story
The Origin of Iron
(Two-part series: 1)
—Birth of the Iron Star: Earth—
Operating Roundup
Strategic Alliance between Nippon Steel and BHP Billiton
Nippon Steel and BHP Billiton have reached a basic agreement to mutually explore the possibility
on strategic alliance for development of new mines and other fields.
WWW
Operating Roundup
Strategic Alliance between Nippon Steel and BHP Billiton
No. 323 December 2004
Feature Story
The Genesis of Product Making
The Origin of Iron
(Two-part Series: 1)
From the Creation of the Universe to the Evolution of Life
IRON formed the earth about 4.6 billion
years ago. Not only is iron indispensable
for the progress of human civilization, it is
vital for the evolution of organic life and for
human existence. Iron is regarded as the final form of the nuclear fusion that began
concurrently with the birth of the universe
and is the most structurally stable element.
Iron accounts for some 30% of the total
mass of the earth and its proved reserves
amount to about 232 billion tons, far greater than for any other metal.
In this issue and the next, we will examine the birth of iron, the process by which
iron ore is produced, and the indispensable “role of iron” in the growth and evolution of living things. In this regard, the
“origin of iron” is highlighted as constituting the “genesis of product making” at Nippon Steel.
WWW
Back to Top
Back
Next
Operating Roundup
Strategic Alliance between Nippon Steel and BHP Billiton
WWW
Back to Top
Back
Next
No. 323 December 2004
Feature Story
Iron—the Universe’s Ultimate Masterpiece
The origin of iron dates back to the beginnings
of Universe. It is commonly accepted that the universe was born by an awesome explosion known
as the “Big Bang.” The protons and neutrons that
are the core constituents of atoms were created
by the big bang from a state in which no matter
had previously existed. These particles bonded to
each other to produce the atomic nuclei of hydrogen and helium (two protons and two neutrons).
The universe was in a chaotic state at this time
with protons, helium, electrons and magnetic
waves flying about.
It is said that up to this point only three minutes
had transpired since the big bang. After another
380,000 years or more had passed and the temperature of the universe had dropped to about
3,000 degrees centigrade, electrons were drawn
to atomic nuclei to form atoms of hydrogen and
helium. Because this event restricted the movement of electrons, the universe became clear,
thereby bringing about an unobstructed view.
For a while, these two basic elements that
were stable in terms of energy hovered in space.
Then, they were steadily drawn closer together
by “fluctuations” of material called “dark matter”
to form gaseous clouds that created stars. (See
Fig. 1.)
13.7 billion years later: Present universe
Nine billion years later:
Birth of the solar system
~Five billion years later:
Birth of stars
Stars repeatedly come
into being and die
One million~one billion years later:
Birth of primitive galaxies
380,000 years later: Clearing of the universe
Three minutes later: Bonding of nuclear atoms
1/100 second later: World of light, protons, neutrons and electrons
Big bang: 13.7 billion years ago
Fig. 1 Evolution of the Universe
The universe was born from a huge explosion called the Big Bang that occurred 13.7 billion years ago. Since then, the universe has evolved with
stars repeatedly coming into being and disappearing. Earth, the iron star,
was born 4.6 billion years ago, or 9.0 billion years after the big bang.
Operating Roundup
Strategic Alliance between Nippon Steel and BHP Billiton
WWW
Back to Top
Back
Next
No. 323 December 2004
Feature Story
The binding force of iron is strong because of
the limited mass of its protons and neutrons. If the
number of protons were to increase beyond iron,
electrical repulsion would strengthen so that the
binding force of nuclear particles becomes weak.
Therefore, iron is the most stable of all elements.
This state can be cited just as the “scrumming of
iron elements.”
Iron is the “ultimate masterpiece” created by
“the alchemist named the universe.”
Fig. 2 Birth of Iron
Fig. 3 Iron—Element with the Lightest Protons
and Neutrons
H, He
1.002
Iron is likely to bond with each
of the other elements.
C, O
Si, Mg, • • •
1.001
Mass
Then, as these atoms were pressed against
each other by the gravitational force of the stars,
compression energy rose as temperatures increased, and the bonding of protons and neutrons
continued to advance, thereby creating a succession of elements other than hydrogen and helium.
This phenomenon is called “nuclear fusion” (thermonuclear reaction). (See Fig. 2.)
As nuclear fusion progressed, it generated heat.
Heat together with pressure further advanced the
fusion process until finally giving birth to “iron.”
With nuclear fusion came an increase in the number of protons and neutrons and a simultaneous
increase in their total atomic mass. Then, the heat
energy produced by the bonding of the protons
and neutrons was released, thereby reducing the
mass of each proton and neutron (Einstein’s special theory of relativity). The protons and neutrons
that form the atomic nucleus of iron are the lightest of all the other elements. From this, it can be
seen that the nuclear fusion that occurs in stars
comes to an end with the birth of iron—the end of
the first generation atoms. (See Fig. 3.)
First
Second generation
generation
The mass of atom
(nuclear particle)
is lightest.
1.000
Fe
0.999
Nuclear
fusion
0.998
0
10
Supernova
explosion
Fe
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Atomic number
Nuclear fusion (thermonuclear reaction) is a phenomenon whereby
the gravitational force of stars compels the atoms within them to
rub against each other and produce heat energy that, in turn, leads
to the bonding of protons and neutrons and the subsequent production of elements other than hydrogen and helium. This phenomenon soon comes to an end with the birth of iron.
When nuclear fusion occurs, the total mass of atoms increases,
but the weight of their individual protons and neutrons grows
steadily lighter. The protons and neutrons that constitute the atomic nuclei of iron are the lightest of all the elements, which indicates
that nuclear fusion ended with the birth of iron.
Operating Roundup
Strategic Alliance between Nippon Steel and BHP Billiton
WWW
Back to Top
Back
Next
No. 323 December 2004
Feature Story
Birth of the Iron Star: Earth
outside the stars, causing big bang. This is the
“supernova explosion,” which turned the iron and
other products produced by nuclear fusion into
stardust that scattered into the universe.
In supernova explosion, another nuclear fusion
reaction was caused, one that produced the
atoms appearing after iron in the periodic table,
i.e., the second-generation atoms from nickel to
uranium. Absorbing the explosive energy that
gave them birth, the protons and neutrons of
these later atoms became heavier than iron (Fig.
3). These second-generation elements also scattered into the universe where they floated about.
In this way, diverse kinds of elements were
born. Among these, the elements existing in the
largest quantities were hydrogen and helium, the
two basic elements brought forth by the Big Bang.
But, when the elements produced in the first generation were left undisturbed as the nuclear fusion
process continued to advance, these elements ultimately converged into iron. This is why iron exists in greatest abundance in the universe (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 Abundance of Elements in the Universe
Abundance in the universe (solar system)
Iron was born during the last stage of nuclear fusion. However, stars similar in size to the sun,
even during advanced nuclear fusion, can only
bring forth the elements up to carbon (six protons
and six neutrons) and oxygen (eight protons and
eight neutrons). Iron is produced in stars about 8
to 30 times the size of the sun.
After a lapse of about 30 million years (a comparatively short period in terms of universal time),
iron formed in the center of these stars. It was
compact in size, no longer subject to further reaction, and marked the end of each star’s nuclear
fusion process. Once the fusion process in these
stars advanced to the point of producing iron, the
stars were unable to continue changing. Diverse
atoms were drawn to them from outside, and the
nuclear atoms of iron that had existed stably at
their center collapsed.
Further, as the temperature and pressure rose,
protons collided with electrons to produce neutrons, which released large numbers of neutrinos.
Some of these neutrinos hit the atoms existing
10
10
10
8
10
6
10
4
10
2
10
0
10
-2
Relative atomic number ratio with Si set at 106
Fe
0
10
20
30
The abundance is extraordinarily more than those of
any other metal
40
50
60
70
80
90
Atomic number
The abundance of iron is far greater than that of any of other
elements. Whether lighter or heavier than iron, all elements are
ultimately transformed into iron as stars repeatedly come into
being and die.
Operating Roundup
Strategic Alliance between Nippon Steel and BHP Billiton
WWW
Back to Top
Back
Next
No. 323 December 2004
Feature Story
Further, because second-generation elements
cannot be generated without supernova explosion, they are less abundant and tend to convert
back into iron due to nuclear fission and other nuclear reactions within the stars.
The sun is a new star created through the accumulation of hydrogen, helium and other elements
flying about the universe. As the sun’s core temperature rose, hydrogen ignited to begin a nuclear
fusion reaction whereby hydrogen fused with heliFig. 5 Growth of Iron Ore
Atmosphere
um to emit brilliant light. The dust that was not absorbed into the sun collected in the shape of a
disk on the sun’s equatorial plane. Eventually the
dust accumulated to form numerous planets, of
which Earth is one.
Because Earth, which was born about 4.6 billion years ago, is located close to the sun, it was
formed through the accumulation of comparatively
heavy elements. This is the reason why iron is
plentiful and constitutes one of planet’s main ele-
ments. Just after its birth, Earth existed in a hot,
partially molten state that allowed materials to
move about easily. As a result, a three-layer structure—center core, mantle and crust—was formed
under gravitational influence (Fig. 5).
The earth consists of iron, silicon and magnesium oxides. Of these, iron is in greatest abundance and accounts for 34.6% of the planet’s total
mass.
CO2, HCl, SO2, N2
Crust
Acid rain
Mantle
Iron ore
O2
Core
Fe
Fe
2+
Plants
Cyanobacteria
Fe3+
Earth
Fe
Fe
4.6 billion years ago
Upheaval
Fe2O3, Fe3O4
At the time of Earth’s origin, elemental iron on the
ground was converted to iron ions by acid rain and
flowed into the sea.
Cyanobacteria came into being in great quantities
about 2.7 billion years ago and by means of photosynthesis introduced oxygen into the sea. This oxygen then bonded with iron to form iron-ore deposits.
Iron-ore deposits were formed by the upheaval of
the sea bottom.
3.8 billion years ago
2.0 billion years ago
1.5 billion years ago
Operating Roundup
Strategic Alliance between Nippon Steel and BHP Billiton
WWW
Back to Top
Back
No. 323 December 2004
Feature Story
The next issue will introduce how iron ore deposits were formed and how iron has contributed to
the evolution of life.
Kazumasa Yamazaki, Dr. Eng.
General Manger, Technical Development Planning Div.,
Technical Development Bureau, Nippon Steel Corporation
1976 : Entered Nippon Steel
1981~ : Studied abroad at Max-Planck-Institute, Germany
1983~ : Engaged mainly in the research and development of steel sheets;
served successively as general manager of the Research and
Development Div. and the Quality Control Div.
(The text has been prepared under the supervision of Dr. Kazumasa Yamazaki, General Manger,
Technical Development Planning Div., Technical
Development Bureau, Nippon Steel.)
OVERSEAS OFFICES
All copyrights reserved by Nippon Steel Corporation 2004.
HEAD OFFICE
Public Relations Center
General Administration Div.
6-3, Otemachi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
100-8071, Japan
Phone: 81-3-3242-4111
Fax: 81-3-3275-5607
New York
Chicago
Mexico
Düsseldorf
Sydney
Singapore
Phone: 1-212-486-7150
Phone: 1-312-751-0800
Phone: 52-55-5281-6123
Phone: 49-211-5306680
Phone: 61-2-9252-2077
Phone: 65-6223-6777
Fax: 1-212-593-3049
Fax: 1-312-751-0345
Fax: 52-55-5280-0501
Fax: 49-211-5961163
Fax: 61-2-9252-2082
Fax: 65-6224-4207
Bangkok
São Paulo
Beijing
Shanghai
Guangzhou
Phone: 66-2-744-1480
Phone: 55-11-3371-4040
Phone: 86-10-6513-8593
Phone: 86-21-6841-1812
Phone: 86-20-8386-8178
Fax: 66-2-744-1485
Fax: 55-11-3371-4041
Fax: 86-10-6513-7197
Fax: 86-21-6841-5529
Fax: 86-20-8386-7066
More about Nippon Steel on the website: http://www.nsc.co.jp
Thank you. Next issue coming soon.