Iron, Steel and Metal
Iron, steel and metal are terms that are often confused in the world of materials. Unlike steel, iron is a naturally occurring element – and not only the basis for steel, but also for many other metals.
Iron: The Basic Element
As a natural product, iron occurs in its pure form in nature. The chemical element with the symbol “Fe” and atomic number 26 has its fixed place in the periodic table of the elements.
Iron is a commonly occurring metal in the Earth’s crust and has a long history in human civilisation. It is known above all for its hardness. When heated, it becomes easy to shape or forge.
As a base metal, iron corrodes and decomposes under the influence of air and moisture: it oxidises.
Steel: An Iron-Carbon Alloy
Steel is an artificially manufactured product that does not occur in this form in nature. Unlike iron, steel is not a chemical element, but an alloy – in other words, a combination of several components.
Since there are no “perfect” metals, they are improved through alloys. Desired properties of different materials are combined with one another. This is also the case with steel.
Steel is an iron alloy produced by adding carbon and other alloying elements such as chromium, manganese or nickel. These alloying elements give steel various properties such as hardness, corrosion resistance, strength or thermal conductivity.
Steel is extremely versatile and is used in many areas: from buildings and vehicles to tools and machines. Depending on the exact composition and treatment, different types of steel can be produced, such as stainless steel, structural steel, tool steel or stainless steel grades.
Metal: The General Category
Metal is a general term that includes both iron and other elements and alloys. Metals make up a large part of the elements in the periodic table.
Metals are characterised by common properties, such as lustre, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and formability. Besides iron and steel, there are many other metals, including aluminium, copper, gold and silver.
Each metal has its own properties and is suitable for different applications.
Iron, Steel and Metal: The Differences in Brief
- Iron: a naturally occurring chemical element with the symbol Fe.
- Steel: an artificially manufactured iron-carbon alloy.
- Metal: a general term for metallic elements and alloys.
- Alloy: a targeted combination of materials to improve specific properties.
- Application: The choice of material always depends on the area of use and the technical requirements.
Conclusion
Metal, steel and iron are related, but still different materials. Iron is the basic chemical element. Steel is an iron alloy produced by adding carbon and other elements. Metal is the general term that includes various elements and alloys.
The choice of material depends on the specific requirements of an application. Whether it is steel in a skyscraper, iron in a cooking pot or another metal in a smartphone: these materials play a decisive role in our modern world.
