steel
steel Group of iron alloys containing a little carbon. The great strength of steel makes it an extremely important material in construction and manufacturing. The most common type is called plain carbon steel, because carbon is the main alloying material. This kind of steel usually contains less than 1% of carbon by weight. Alloy steels contain some carbon, but owe their special properties to the presence of manganese, nickel, chromium, vanadium, or molybdenum. Low-alloy steels, with less than 5% of alloying metals, are exceptionally strong, and are used in buildings, bridges, and machine parts. High-alloy steels contain more than 5% of alloying metals. This groups includes various forms of stainless steel
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