Question

Stainless steel is a very useful material for our life. In stainless steel, iron is mixed with:
A) Ni and Cr
B) Cu and Cr
C) Ni and Cu
D) Cu and Au

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question, you should know the composition of stainless steel. Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy. Its composition is made up of various elements that prevents the corrosion of steel. Resistance to corrosion makes stainless steel an ideal material for many applications.

Complete step by step answer:
Stainless steel is basically an iron-based alloy which is significantly made from elements which provides resistance to corrosion. Steel corrodes because iron, the metal used to make steel, naturally occur in combination with other elements. When iron ore is artificially manipulated into a pure form to make steel, it becomes unstable and readily combines with oxygen present in the air. This process leads to corrosion of steel. So, chromium (Cr) and other alloying elements such as nickel (Ni) are added with iron to create corrosion-resistant stainless steel.
When chromium is added to steel, it forms chromium oxide, which acts as a protective layer to prevent air and moisture from causing rust of iron. In addition to chromium, stainless steel is also made with alloys of silicon, nickel, carbon, nitrogen and manganese. Nickel (Ni) is added to a type of steel called austenitic steel to improve its flexibility.
Thus, among the options, only Ni and Cr are mixed with iron in stainless steel.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: Austenitic steel is the most widely type of stainless steel. It has excellent corrosion and heat resistant properties. It also has good mechanical properties over a wide range of temperatures. It is used in housewares, industrial piping and vessels, and architectural facades.