Hydrogen A problem element in welding

Calcium used to desulphurise molten steel Chromium used as wear and corrosion -resistant plating on steel

Manganese improves the quality of all steels; 13% makes it wearresistant

Cobalt makes a parallel system to the Fe-base system

Nonmetals used as alloying elements to strengthen steel

Nitrogen good in stainless steel but bad in ordinary steel Carbon has been used to strengthen steel for thousands of years

THE PERIODIC TABLE GIVES

THE CHEMICAL STORY OF STEEL

H Li

He Be

Iron Fe is the basis of all steels

Co Rh Ir Ni Pd Pt Cu Zn

B Al

C Si

N P As Sb Bi

O S Se Te Po

F Cl Br I At

Ne Ar Kr Xe Rn Hf

Na Mg K Ca Sc Y La Ac Ce Pr Th Pa Hd U Pm Sm Eu Np Pu Gd Tb Ti Zr V Cr Mn Fe Ru Os

Ga Ge Sn Pb

Rb Sr Cs Ba Fr Ra

Nb Mo Tc W Re

Ag Cd In Au Hg Tl

Hf Ta

Argon shielding gas in welding; refining gas for stainless steel Two elements common but undesirable impurities Deoxidising and slag-forming elements in welding and steelmaking

Dy Ho Er Cf Es

Tm Yb Lu

Am Cm Bk

Fm Md No Lw

These 9 elements are Carbide formers used in tool steels, boiler steels and hardfacing

Chromium 18% and Nickel 8% (some Mo too) used in Stainless steel; lower levels in gear and shaft steels

Three elements used as corrosionresistant coatings on steel

Nickel and Copper used in stainless steels for their added corrosion resistance