How iron oxide is converted into iron metal?

Answer 1

Iron oxide is oxidized iron, that was probably obvious but yeah. The iron went through oxidization to become Iron oxide, so it needs to go through reduction to extract the iron again, which is the opposite chemical reaction to oxidization.

DIY method:

(Oh yeah, DO THIS OUTSIDE)

Get some sawdust, some sand, a metal trash can or a basin type thing (or anything heat resistant that won't react really, unglazed ceramic does well). Make a ring of sand on the ground, and line the basin up so that the rim is all immersed in sand, this is to ensure that the reduction chamber is air-tight. Then make a birdsnest of sawdust inside the ring of sand. If your iron oxide is in a powder form or small chunks, you may want to put it on a fireproof, nonreactive plate of some kind. Put the Iron oxide in the saw dust and light the saw dust on fire. Quickly through another handful or so of sawdust on top and, again quickly, put the basin over the ring of sand. If necessary (it most likely will be), put more sand around the outside and hold down (use heat resistant gloves for this). Wait until the fire has burned out and has cooled down somewhat, then remove the trashcan/basin/chamber. You should have, aside from a lot of burnt up sawdust, some iron metal.

Answer 2

Basically Iron is formed by the reduction of iron ores by carbon:

2Fe2O3 + 3C -> 4Fe +3 CO2

Again, this is only the basic formula. the entire process occurs in a number of steps.