Chapter 2
Steel
Vocabulary Preview
Match each adjective with its opposite.
_______ 1. hard a. small
_______ 2. mild b. thin
_______ 3. huge c. soft
_______ 4. simple d. cold
_______ 5. high e. old
_______ 6. short f. complex
_______ 7. new g. long
_______ 8. heavy h. low
_______ 9. thick i. strong
_______ 10. hot j. light
Pre-reading
Before you read, answer the following questions with a partner or
your classmates?
• What is an alloy?
• Is it possible to mix a metal with a non-metallic material?
• What happens to iron when it is exposed to air or water?
Reading
Steel is the most widely used engineering material. Technically though, this well-known
alloy of iron (Fe) and carbon (C) is not as simple as one might think. Steel comes in a
huge range of grades, each with different characteristics.
The first grade of steels is what is known as carbon steel. This consists of iron and
carbon, but contains no significant quantities of other metals. Carbon steels can be
divided into three main grades. Mild steel, which is the most widely used grade, is a
low-carbon steel that contains up to approximately 0.3% carbon. Medium-carbon steel,
on the other hand, contains between approximately 0.3% and 0.6% carbon. Finally, high-
carbon steel contains between approximately 0.6% and 1.4% carbon.
The second main category of steels is alloy-steels, which consist of iron, carbon, and
one or more alloying metals. Alloy steels, in their turn, are divided into more specific
grades. First, low-alloy steels are one grade that contains 90% or more iron and up to
10% of alloying metals such as chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), molybdenum
(Mo), and vanadium (V). High-strength low alloy steels (HSLA), on the other hand, are
another grade of alloy steels that contain smaller quantities, typically less than 2%, of
the above metals. Yet another popular grade of steels is that known as stainless steels,
which contain chromium as well as other metals, such as nickel, and which do not rust.
Finally, tool steels, which are extremely hard, are used in cutting tools. These contain
tungsten (W) and sometimes cobalt (Co) as well. A widely used grade of tool steels is
known as high-speed steel, which is used in cutting tools that operate at high
temperatures such as drill bits.
One weakness of mild steel is that it corrodes. Its surface progressively deteriorates
due to a chemical reaction that takes place between the iron in the steel and the
oxygen (O2) in the air to form iron oxide. When iron corrodes, or goes rusty as we usually
say, the rust on its surface comes off continuously and a new layer of rust forms
progressively eating into the metal. In some other metals, on the other hand, the
presence of corrosion is not a problem. In aluminum (Al), for example, the layer of
oxide around the metal remains hard and prevents it from oxidizing any further unlike
mild steel.
Comprehension Check
Are these statements True or False? Write T or F next to each
statement then correct the false statements.
_______ 1. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon.
_____________________________________________________________
_______ 2. Mild steel is high-carbon steel.
_____________________________________________________________
_______ 3. Stainless steel gets corroded easily.
_____________________________________________________________
_______ 4. Low alloy steels contain more chromium than iron.
_____________________________________________________________
_______ 5. Tungsten is added to steel to make it softer.
_____________________________________________________________
Word Study
1. Complete the chart with the right word form.
Verb Noun Adjective
corrosion
deteriorate
rusty
oxidization
specify
resistant
protection
2. Fill in each blank with a word from the chart above.
1. Steel __________________________ when it is exposed to air and water.
2. __________________________ is a red/brown material that forms on the surface of
steel.
3. The strength of steel is reduced if it is __________________________.
4. Steel is a widely used _________________________ metal.
5. Although it is used in steel, carbon is __________________________.
Grammar
Example: I'm too tired to walk home. I think __________________________ a taxi.
1. I'm a little hungry. I think __________________________ something to eat.
2. It's too late to call Tom now. __________________________ him in the morning.
3. "It's a bit cold in this room." "Is it? __________________________ on the heat then."
4. "We don't have any milk." "Oh, we don't? __________________________ and get
some."
5. "Did you write that letter to Jack?" "Oh, I forgot. Thanks for reminding me.
__________________________ it tonight."
6. "Would you like tea or coffee?" " __________________________ coffee, please."
