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GCSE Chemistry · key term
A family of alloys based on iron, usually containing carbon and sometimes other elements.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.10.3.2 · Paper 2
An alloy of iron containing controlled amounts of carbon and, in some types, other elements.
Revise: AlloysSteels are alloys of iron containing specific amounts of carbon and sometimes other metals. Altering the composition produces steels suited to different jobs.
Specification 5.6C · Paper 1
An alloy based on iron that contains carbon.
Revise: Alloy SteelsAdding a small amount of carbon produces steel, which is generally stronger than pure iron. Even then, one type of steel will not suit every job: a part might need greater hardness, toughness, resistance to corrosion or the ability to withstand high temperatures.
Specification C6.1o · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
A family of alloys based mainly on iron and carbon; some steels also contain other elements.
Revise: Alloy Composition and UsesThe word steel does not describe just one composition. All common steels are based on iron, but varying the amount of carbon and adding other elements changes their behaviour.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
Revise: AlloysBronze, for example, is a mixture of copper and tin, while steel is based on iron and carbon.
Link each property directly to the use. For example, stainless steel is suitable for cutlery because it is hard and resistant to corrosion.
Name the property needed for the use, then explain how adding other metals helps provide it. Do not just say that the steel is ‘better’.
Carbon is not a metal. Steel contains iron and carbon; alloy steels also contain deliberately added metals such as chromium, nickel or manganese.
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