Metals and Alloys Notes

Iron - is converted from ore to solid metal by heating. After the impurities are removed from the furnace when it is cooled a greyish metal.  Iron is rarely used when its not combined with Carbon as otherwise its not strong enough to fulfill the needed purpose. The result of mixing Carbon and Iron is Steel.

Steel - Is a mixture of Iron and Carbon. The percentage of carbon in the steel determines the strength. Alloying this material with other materials enhances the properties of the steel giving it different specific properties. These properties can include the resistance to corrosion.

Carbon - Carbon is an element found in a range of materials. Organic materials including Diamond and Coal are made of pure Carbon they are just produced under a different degree of pressure. The amount of Carbon in Steel can change the properties.

Iron and Carbon - Iron is generally soft and ductile which does not make it very commercially useful. When Carbon is added which is a very hard, brittle element. When it is mixed with Iron it can be used for the following qualities;

• The hardness is increased
• The toughness reduces making it more brittle.
• Can be heat treated to increase strength and hardness.