Sponge-iron powder, a product of a fluidized bed reduction by H2 or CO gas, was in a very active state; consequently, it was rapidly oxidized to Fe304 or Fe203 at room temperature even with only a trace of oxygen.
The lattice constant of the product will be treated as a function of the equilibria of reduction reactions by which the sponge-iron powder was formed.
The variation of the lattice constant of the product with the reduction temperature ranging from 500 to 600°C suggests a large variation of the lattice strain.
The specific area of the product at 500°C was observed to be 0.9m2 per gram while at 800°C 0.1m2 per gram.
The active state of the product may be attributed to the large value of the specific surfaceenergy.
In order to prevent the oxidation of the product in the active state, the product must be heated above 680°C.