Stainless Steel

What is Stainless Steel?

An alloy of iron with elements such as chromium, nickel and carbon. The different-sized particles disrupt the regular layers of iron so the layers cannot slide easily, making it hard and strong, and the chromium gives it resistance to rusting, which together make it the standard material for cutlery and surgical instruments.

This definition is part of the Metals chapter in Cambridge O Level Chemistry.

Concepts related to Stainless Steel

• disrupted layers
• rust resistance
• cutlery

Common mistakes with Stainless Steel

• 5. “An alloy is a mixture of two metals.” Defect Too narrow — and it makes stainless steel impossible to describe. Reason Carbon in stainless steel is a non-metal, and it is still part of the alloy. Repair “A mixture of a metal with one or more other elements.” Transfer Name the elements in stainless steel. Iron, with chromium, nickel and carbon.