Steel

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[edit] Simple Description

Steel is a type of metal made using iron. People like steel because it is harder and stronger than iron.(some alloys are non rusty)

[edit] Detailed Definition and Description

Steel is a metal alloy (mixture of several metals) which has mostly iron and some carbon. Carbon acts as a hardening agent, preventing iron atoms, which are naturally arranged in a crystal frame, from sliding past one another (dislocation). Changing the amount of carbon and its distribution in the alloy controls qualities such as the hardness, elasticity, ability to be made into thin wires, and strength of the steel that is made. Steel with more carbon is harder and stronger than pure iron, but it also breaks more easily (brittle). One typical definition is that steels are iron–carbon alloys with up to 2.1 percent carbon by weight; alloys with higher carbon content than this are known as cast iron. Steel is also different from wrought iron with little or no carbon. It is common today to talk about 'the iron and steel industry' as if it were a single thing; it is today, but before, they were separate products.

Now there are several types of steels in which carbon is replaced with other alloying materials, and carbon, if present, is not wanted. A more up-to-date definition is that steels are iron-based alloys that can be plastically formed (pounded, rolled, etc.).

(Detailed definition copied from 2006 Wikipedia CD selection, and words altered).

[edit] How it is GOOD

Steel is the most common hard metal because there is lots of iron on the Earth. Steel is also very easy to make; Steel can be made by heating iron in a hot fire. Steel is harder than iron, and is easy to bend when it's hot. Steel is also stronger than iron. Iron can be cast.

[edit] How it is BAD

Steel rusts when it touches water and oxygen. Steel rusts faster when it touches salt.

[edit] External Links

For a very detailed analysis of the composition, history, and uses of steel, please see "Steel" at the full Wikipedia site (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel).

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