Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon with improved strength and fracture resistance compared to other forms of iron. Because of its high tensile strength and low cost, steel is one of the most commonly manufactured materials in the world. Steel is used in buildings, as concrete reinforcing rods, in bridges, infrastructure, tools, ships, trains, cars, bicycles, machines, electrical appliances, furniture, and weapons.

Besides iron and carbon, steel is alloyed with many different elements depending on the properties aimed. The common alloying elements are manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, silicon, boron, aluminum, niobium, and titanium,but there are many others too.

Here’s a more detailed look at some common alloying elements and their effects:

• Carbon: The primary alloying element of steel, increasing strength, hardness, and mechanical resistance, but also decreasing malleability, ductility, and toughness.

• Manganese: Enhances strength, hardness, and resistance to wear and tear.

• Nickel: Improves corrosion resistance, good workability, and high strength at elevated temperatures.

• Chromium: Increases hardenability, corrosion resistance, and yield strength, often used in combination with nickel.

• Molybdenum: Improves strength, hardness, and resistance to high temperatures and corrosion.

• Vanadium: Enhances strength, particularly in high-carbon steel alloys and high-speed tool steels.

• Silicon: Increases elasticity, tensile strength, annealing resistance, and corrosion resistance.

• Boron: Significantly alters mechanical properties by increasing strength.

• Aluminum: Used to refine grain size and as a deoxidizer.

• Niobium: Improves performance and enables stronger steel structures.

• Titanium: Used to reduce grain size and as a deoxidizer, and in stainless steel to reduce carbon content.

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