Segregation Effect on the Purification of Iron Using the Zone Refining Method

Despite extensive studies on individual impurities (P, Mn, Ni, S, C, O), systematic understanding of impurity segregation mechanisms in iron remains incomplete. Here, the distribution of main impurities in iron purified by floating zone refining experiments is explored, and found to be well consistent with the numerical simulations based on the diffusion model and equilibrium distribution coefficients ( k 0 ). The elements including P, S, As, Ti, Zr, Nb, and Hf can be effectively removed due to their equilibrium distribution coefficients of less than 0.5. In contrast, Cr, Co, Ni, V, W, and Mo with the calculated k 0 in the range of 0.7–1, are difficult to be removed in the whole region of zone‐refined iron rod by segregation. The concentration of Al is slightly higher in the head, likely due to the k 0 slightly greater than 1. This work manifests the segregation effect of main impurities in iron purified by zone refining, providing systematic guidance for the preparation of high‐purity iron through this process.