Abstract: A method of preparing iron carbide by reducing magnetite pellets with H2-CO mixturesis presented.The results show that over 90 percent conversion ratio of iron carbide canbe reached at 973K and 1073K under the suitable atmosphere.The reaction processto prepare iron carbide from magnetite can be divided into two stages: reduction ofmagnetite pellets and carburization of reduction product.The carbon deposition has agreat influence on formation of iron carbide.In order to get a high conversion ratioof iron carbide,the relative weight loss value (m) should be controlled between 0.5 to0.8.

Key words: iron carbide, reduction, magnetite pellet