Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Steel is an alloy made primarily from iron and carbon, often along with other elements like manganese or nickel to enhance certain properties like strength or resistance to rust.
Related terms
Carbon Steel: Steel that contains mainly iron and carbon, with smaller amounts of other elements.
Stainless Steel: A type of steel alloy that contains chromium which makes it resistant to tarnish and rust.
Alloying Element: An element added to a metal to improve its properties.