“The Eiffel Tower is built of steel.”
Usage Entry 1300 / 1350 60-second read
Iron vs. Steel
A pure metallic element versus an alloy of iron with carbon and often other metals.
The comparisoni
“The Eiffel Tower is built of iron — specifically wrought iron. Steel is an alloy of iron with carbon; it came into wide structural use later.”
The ruleii
¶
IRON = element. STEEL = alloy.
IRON is a pure element. STEEL is an alloy of iron with about 0.02%–2% carbon and often other metals (manganese, chromium). Steel is harder and more versatile than pure iron. Wrought iron, cast iron, and steel have different carbon contents.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Iron alone. Steel with carbon.