Carbothermy
Carbothermy
metallurgical processes based on the reduction of metals from their compounds using carbon and carbon-containing materials at high temperatures. Metallurgical coke is the most abundant carbon-containing material. Two types of reduction are known: direct (using solid carbon) and indirect (using carbon monoxide). Carbothermic reduction is the basis of ferrous metallurgy. Lead, tin, and a considerable quantity of zinc and certain other metals are produced by the carbothermic process in nonferrous metallurgy.