The word "smelting" is spelled as /ˈsmɛltɪŋ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound is "s" as in "sun", followed by "m" as in "moon" and the "ɛ" sound as in "bed". The letter "t" at the end is pronounced with a silent "e". The stress in the word is on the first syllable "smelt" and the "ɪŋ" at the end is pronounced as "ing" like in "string". "Smelting" refers to the process of extracting a metal from its ore by heating and melting it.
Smelting is a metallurgical process that involves extracting metal from its ore by heating and reducing it in a furnace. It is a crucial technique employed in various industries, including mining, metalworking, and manufacturing, to obtain pure metal or alloys with desired properties.
The smelting process starts by crushing and grinding the ore to a fine powder. This powdered ore is then heated in a furnace, along with a reducing agent such as coke or charcoal, and a fluxing agent to remove impurities. As the temperature rises, the reducing agent reacts with the oxygen in the ore, producing carbon dioxide and releasing the pure metal. The fluxing agent helps to remove any impurities by forming slag, which floats on top of the molten metal and is subsequently removed.
One of the key applications of smelting is in iron production, where iron ore is smelted to produce molten iron which can then be further processed into steel. Smelting is also used for producing non-ferrous metals like copper, lead, zinc, and tin, as well as alloys like bronze and brass.
In addition to extracting metal from ores, smelting can be employed for recycling and refining of scrap metals. By subjecting scrap or waste materials to high temperatures, impurities can be eliminated, and the remaining metal can be recovered and reused.
Overall, smelting is a critical process that enables the extraction and purification of metals, making it an indispensable part of various industries that rely on the production of metals and alloys.
The act or operation of fusing ores or metals.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "smelting" originates from the Old English word "smeltan", which means "to smelt, melt". It is also related to the Old High German word "smelzan" and Old Norse word "smelta", which carry similar meanings. The Old English and Old High German words can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "smeltaną", which denotes the action of melting or smelting metal ores. Ultimately, the Proto-Germanic word is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *smeld-, meaning "to melt" or "to burn".