Editing v0.34:Flux

{{quality|Exceptional|18:39, 13 January 2011 (UTC)}}{{av}}
[[Stone]]s which are classified as '''flux''' materials can be used in the creation of [[pig iron]] and [[steel]] at a [[smelter]]. All flux has a material [[value]] of 2, which is twice that of common stone (material value 1), making it preferable for [[workshop]]s, [[construction]], and most all stone products.  ''(Only [[obsidian]] and some higher-value [[ore]]s have a higher material value for stonework.)''

There was a bug with the site finder tool reporting false positives for Flux stone, which in v34.07 seems to have been replaced with reporting false negatives for either the presence or absence of flux stone.

This may be related to the mineral frequency setting in world gen, as setting it too low seems to be correlated with not having much flux.  See this bug for more info - http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=2440

As of v34.11, if mineral occurrence is set to "everywhere" in the world generator, flux will not appear anywhere in the site finder. More info here - http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=5732

Note that [[block]]s made out of flux materials ''cannot'' be used in the production of pig iron or steel.

The following stones fall under this reaction class:

:* {{Raw Tile|"|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}} [[Calcite]] 
:* {{Raw Tile|░|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}} [[Chalk]]
:* {{Raw Tile|`|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}} [[Dolomite]]
:* {{Raw Tile|▓|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}} [[Limestone]]
:* {{Raw Tile|▓|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}} [[Marble]]

All flux stones form [[layer]]s, except for [[calcite]], which exists as small clusters within other flux layers. Whether or not a site has flux can be determined from the pre-embark screen. [[Limestone]], [[dolomite]] and [[chalk]] form [[sedimentary]] layers, which can have large deposits of [[iron]]-bearing ore. [[Marble]] is a [[metamorphic layer]], so it can be found within almost any [[biome]]; notably, marble can be found in the same biome as [[igneous extrusive layer]]s (i.e. near [[volcano]]es), unlike sedimentary layers.

=== Trading for flux ===

If your map has no flux on it (which is a common situation), then you can request it from the [[dwarf|dwarven]] traders (assuming the traders have access to flux, which is not guaranteed*). Make sure you order (flux material) ''stone'', which is in the material section, since you can't use flux'' blocks'' to create steel.

:* If you are able to bring flux stone at [[embark]], you will be able to request it from the [[caravan]] in meetings with the [[liaison]] (as with pretty much everything else), but they aren't likely to bring much, generally 3 or 4 stones of each type. Your [[steel]] industry may be better served by requesting steel bars directly or by buying up everything they have that's made of steel, especially toys, instruments, and crafts, and [[DF2012:Melt item | melting]] it all down.

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See also:
:* [[steel]]
:* [[pig iron]]
{{Category|Materials}}