Steel Alloy
Composed predominantly of iron, steel is an alloy made from a combination of iron, carbon, and sometimes other elements as well. The carbon content of steel is minuscule; although it ranges, carbon makes up less than or equal to 1.7% of a steel alloy by weight. As the carbon content nears its maximum level, the steel becomes stronger but more brittle.
There are many different kinds of steel, but perhaps the most prominent in today's world is stainless steel. The composition of stainless steel is still chiefly iron, but it also includes a minimum composition of ten percent chromium. The added chromium (and often nickel as well) makes stainless steel resistant to rust. As it is highly hygienic, stainless steel is commonly used to manufacture those products that require sanitary conditions, such as flatware, medical instruments, and dental tools. It is also common in applications that require contact with corrosive chemicals.
Steel alloys are widely used in many different industries, including automobile, construction, food, medical, paper, chemical, and hardware industries. Steel is currently the most widely recycled metal in the world; for this reason, much of the "new" steel is actually made from old steel goods that have been melted down and reworked.