noun
sponge iron; direct reduced iron; DRI
Technical term in metallurgy for porous iron produced by direct reduction of iron ore without melting.
海綿鉄は、直接還元法で製造される多孔質の鉄である。
Sponge iron is porous iron produced by the direct reduction process.
Compound of 海綿 (sponge) and 鉄 (iron), referring to the porous, sponge-like structure of the material.