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How to Obtain Red Iron Oxide

Red iron oxide is chemically known as Fe2O3. It is also known as hematite. It is an important iron ore and is deep-red in color in its powdered form. The word "hematite" comes from the Greek word for blood-like. Red iron oxide can have a red or black color but the streak is always red. The iron in the hematite turns red when it comes into contact with water and oxygen, causing a rust-like appearance. It has many uses, from being the main source of iron in steel to a coloring pigment in cosmetics and jewelry.

Things You'll Need

  • Steel wool
  • Dish soap and water
  • Acetate
  • Glass surface
  • Hydrogen peroxide (minimum 3 percent)
  • Water and salt mix (optional)
  • Flat-bottomed object such as a glass
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the steel wool by washing it several times with dish soap and water. If you have acetate, use this to soak the steel wool after washing. Washing the wool removes any layers of oil that may be on the wool's surface that could prevent it from oxidizing. Dry out thoroughly, preferably overnight. If using a final rinse in acetate, the drying process will be a lot quicker.

    • 2

      Place the steel wool on a glass surface. The process of making the red iron oxide can easily stain a porous or non stain-resistant work area. Rip the steel wool into the thinnest layer possible so that you are able to crush or shake off the finished product.

    • 3

      Spray the wool with the bottled peroxide. Use enough to thoroughly soak into the wool, but over-spraying or soaking will slow down the dry-out time. To speed up the oxidizing, spray the wool with the bottle of water-and-salt mix. The salt acts as a catalyst. Within a few minutes, the red iron oxide will start to be visible on the wool's surface. Leave overnight to dry out completely.

    • 4

      Take the flat-bottomed glass and crush the wool with the goal of making it into a powder. Do this until the bulk of the red iron oxide is released from the remaining steel wool. Remove what is left of the wool and shake off all the red iron oxide into the pile of powder just made. To make more, repeat the whole process with the leftover wool until it has completely 'rusted' into the red iron oxide powder.


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