Metal, Iron, Steel – What’s the difference?

In practice, steel, iron and metal are often equidistant. However, there are some differences between the mentioned materials. What are these?

The importance of metal in today’s industry

Today’s world is unimaginable without the metal structures.Whose application spreads from the car industry to building bridges. Although we always use concepts such as iron, metal, and steel every day.The question arises as to whether there is a difference between them? One of the common mistakes that appears daily is to equalize or use the terms iron, metal, and steel as synonyms.

However, there is a certain difference in the aforementioned terms.Ranging from the conceptual definition itself to the way in which steel or iron is obtained in the first place.

What are metals?

Metals, ie, metallic elements are the chemical elements.They got their name thanks to the metal link through which the atoms in the crystal grid  connected. Looked through the prism of chemistry,we can find metals  in nature  in pure form, without any additives. Furthermore, each metal has its physical .And chemical properties that shape its behavior.

In addition to the above-mentioned division. Metals can be divided into precious, semi-precious and common metals. The classification of metals with respect to the preciousness depends on its corrosion resistance. Precious metals are therefore resistant to all types of corrosion while the common metals are on the other hand subject to corrosive action.

All metals have a glossy surface and excellent processing properties. However, due to the reflexive properties. there are problems with laser cutting. Mainly, in nature, we can find them most often in a solid state.except mercury which is liquid.

Is there a difference between metal and steel?

There is. Due to its chemical properties,we can not classify  stainless steel  as metal.But as alloy. Thus, metals as such in their structure don’t have any admixtures as opposed to the steel which has.

However, despite the fact that steel is not a metal, it possesses properties that have metals. For example, steel plates can have a glossy surface just like metals. Observed through the prism of the properties, steel is a good electric power and heat generator just like all metals. Nonetheless, because of its composition, it can’t be placed in the metals category, in a periodic system of elements.

And what about the difference between iron and steel?
Iron as such can be classified as a raw material used in making alloys as well as components such as bolts. Accordingly, the fact that steel has a iron content of up to 99% makes the main difference between these two elements.

In addition, another thing that affects the significant difference between steel and iron are its properties. That is just why stainless steel (inox) is corrosion-resistant, has good thermal conductivity and properties that make it one of the most widely used constructional metals .

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