The most common crystal structures, or phases, in metals are body-
centered cubic (BCC), face-centered cubic (FCC), and hexagonal close-
packed (HCP). Some metals, such as iron, exist as one solid phase at room temperature and as another solid phase at elevated temperatures. This change with temperature from one phase to another in a solid metal is known as an allotropic, or solid state, phase transformation. A metal crystal possessing different structures but the same chemical composition is referred to as allotropic. Among the common BCC metals are iron, carbon steels, chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten. Among the common FCC metals are aluminum, copper, nickel, and austenitic stainless steels. Among the common HCP metals are titanium, zinc, cadmium, beryllium, and magnesium.