At Arizona Iron Supply in Phoenix, we are passionate about iron. Iron is one of the central elements of life on Earth. From being the key component of steel to its vital role in our bodies, this substance is crucial to our existence. If your fabrication shop is looking for an iron supplier in Phoenix or in the southwest, give us a call or drop by our warehouse to check out our extensive inventory of iron products.

Here are a few interesting facts about iron:

1. Today, 90% of all refined metal is iron. Most of this is used to make steel, which is extremely important for making a wide variety of products as varied as skyscrapers, cars, and appliances.
2. Iron is the fourth most common element in the Earth’s crust and the sixth most common element in the universe. Gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn also have cores that are rich in iron. Iron is a key component in a class of meteorites known as siderites.
3. Research suggests that iron has been used by humankind for more than 5,000 years. Studies have noted that ancient Egyptians were making iron beads from siderite meteorites as early as 3200 B.C.
4. The chemical symbol for iron is Fe, which comes from the Latin word for the metal, ferrum.
5. Pure elemental iron is soft and has a shiny silver-grey color. It hardens after the smelting process.
6. Wrought iron is the purest form of iron. Wrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon content (less than 0.08%), in contrast to cast iron (2.1% to 4%).
7. Not all iron is magnetic.
8. Iron is extremely important to our diet. It is required for energy, for optimal immune function, and for storing oxygen in our muscles. There are many food sources of iron— from red meat to plant-based sources, like raw spinach and whole grains.
9. Our blood is red because of the iron it contains. This is because of the way that iron interacts with oxygen, and how these elements reflect light.
10. Plants also need iron to survive— it is used in chlorophyll, the pigment required for photosynthesis. The process of photosynthesis allows plants to get energy from sunlight.

We are a Leading Iron Supplier in Phoenix and the Southwest

These are just a few interesting facts about iron, one of Earth’s key elements, and the main component of metals used in American industry. As a leading iron supplier in Phoenix and the southwest, we invite you to stop by our warehouse and see our large inventory of iron products. We’ve got everything from angle iron to cast iron to ornamental iron and more. Or, give us a call and let our experts at Arizona Iron Supply help you select the right materials for your next project or manufacturing product.

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay