Steel

From Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia written in simple English for easy reading.

This page or section may not use Simple English
Someone thinks that this page or section does not use Simple English.

This does not mean it is bad. It may only be difficult for some users to understand. Editors can help Wikipedia by making the page or section simpler. For tips on making it better, read "How to write Simple English articles".

Steel cable
Enlarge
Steel cable

Steel is a type of metal alloy made from iron. Steel is harder and stronger than iron.

[edit] Iron and steel

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.).

[edit] Uses of steel

A lot of items made from iron has been replaced by steel. Some of them are:

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Steel

Wiktionary has a dictionary definition (word meaning) for:

This short article can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.