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GCSE Chemistry · key term
Steel containing deliberately added metals to alter its properties for a particular use.
Used by Edexcel
Specification 5.6C · Paper 1
Revise: Alloy SteelsMetals such as chromium, nickel or manganese can be added to steel to produce alloy steels. The added atoms change the arrangement of atoms in the metal, making it harder for layers of atoms to slide past one another. This can increase strength or hardness.
Carbon is not a metal. Steel contains iron and carbon; alloy steels also contain deliberately added metals such as chromium, nickel or manganese.
Do not assume every alloy steel is stainless: its properties depend on which elements are added and in what amounts.
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