Question

Stainless steel contains:

(A)Cu and Zn
(B)Cu and Sn
(C)Pb and Sn
(D)Fe, C, Cr and Ni

Answer 1

We know that stainless steel is an alloy. An alloy is a uniform mixture and it is made up of two or more chemical elements, of which at least one is a metal. An alloy has properties different from the metals it is made of.

Complete Step by step solution:

-Stainless steel is iron-based alloys or iron family alloys that contain a minimum of approximately 11% chromium, a composition that prevents the iron from undergoing oxidation or rusting.

-Stainless steel is an alloy which is prepared from carbon, aluminium, silicon, titanium, chromium, nickel, nitrogen, and molybdenum is added in appropriate proportion.

-Let's see the option (A)Cu and Zn: combine and form an alloy called brass. Brass is an alloy in proportions that can be varied to achieve varying mechanical and electrical properties. Composition for brass: copper is taken as 65% to 50% and zinc is taken as 35% to 50%.

-Now option (B)Cu and Sn: combine and form an alloy called bronze. Bronze is an alloy with about 12% of tin and addition of other metals (like aluminum, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes nonmetals or metalloids like arsenic, phosphorus or silicon are also added.

-About option (C)Sn and Pb: These 2 elements usually form an alloy named solder which is used to create electrical joints.

-Finally option (D) Fe, C, Cr and Ni: These elements are used in the formation of stainless steel. Here iron mixed with carbon to produce steel is the major component of stainless steel and the addition of chromium makes it resistant to rust.

-Hence from the above discussion we can see that the correct option will be:(D) Fe, C, Cr and Ni.

Note: Steel is made by adding iron to carbon, steel contains very less amount of carbon if the amount of carbon increases then it is called as cast iron. On the other hand, Stainless steel has a high amount of chromium content that forms an invisible and protective layer on the surface of the steel to prevent it from staining.