pig iron

Pig iron is the raw form of iron produced during the initial stage of metal extraction from iron ore in a blast furnace. It contains a high amount of carbon and other impurities, making it brittle and not suitable for use as a final product. The name "pig iron" comes from the traditional shape of the mold channels used to cast the iron, which resembled piglets. It serves as the primary material for further refining and processing into steel or other iron-based products, acting as a foundational commodity in metal manufacturing.