I. Carbonyl Iron Powder: A Core Production Element in the Powder Metallurgy Industry
First and foremost, as a versatile ultra-fine metal powder material, carbonyl iron powder is mainly made using the carbonyl thermal decomposition process (also known as the carbonyl method). It uses sponge iron and carbon monoxide as raw materials, and the final product consists of fine and ultra-fine powders of elemental iron and nickel (including alloy powders like Fe-Ni, Fe-Co, and Ni-Co) at the micron and sub-micron levels. Currently, carbonyl iron powder is the iron powder with the finest particle size, highest purity, and best spherical shape that can be produced through industrialized technology—making it one of the most critical raw materials in the powder metallurgy industry.
II. Unique Physical Properties of Carbonyl Iron Powder: Three Key Differences from Other Iron Powders
Notably, carbonyl iron powder has unique physical properties, positioning it as a high-grade basic production element in industrial fields. It boasts high purity, fine particle size (below 10μm), strong reactivity, an onion-like layered structure, good fluidity, and excellent magnetism. These traits give it outstanding wear resistance, structural stability, and electromagnetic performance. For example, iron cores made from carbonyl iron powder offer high strength, good stability, strong weather resistance, high wear resistance, and low hysteresis loss—making it a core production element for high-performance products requiring high density.
Carbonyl iron powder also differs significantly from other iron powders in three key aspects:
- Particle size: Carbonyl iron powder is generally below 10 microns, while ordinary iron powder typically exceeds 20 microns.
- Purity: Carbonyl iron powder has higher purity and fewer impurities.
- Morphology: It can be processed into fibrous, flaky, or spherical shapes (among others) to meet downstream production needs.
III. Wide and Expandable Downstream Applications of Carbonyl Iron Powder
Furthermore, carbonyl iron powder has a broad range of downstream applications with room for continuous expansion. As a fundamental industrial production element, it serves diverse fields, including aerospace, rail transit, military industry, the Internet of Things (IoT) and electronic communications, new energy infrastructure, and the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
Its unique physical properties allow its application scope to expand as technology and industrial application standards advance. From its current functional performance, it plays a tangible role in enhancing product strength, stability, yield, and wear resistance. For instance:
- In powder metallurgy, it effectively boosts product yield and metal strength.
- In the electromagnetic field, it prevents electromagnetic wave leakage and radiation.
- In the soft magnetic field, it improves magnetic permeability and stability.
- In the military industry, it is used to make wave-absorbing coatings for stealth materials.
- In the food and pharmaceutical sectors, it acts as an iron supplement and targeted material.
- In traditional industries, it enhances the wear resistance of matrix materials.
Post time: Dec-16-2025
