Question

Explain why, we use iron for making an electromagnet and not steel

Answer 1

The core of an electromagnet is made of an iron alloy known as soft iron. This nearly pure iron is preferred because it doesn't have a remaining magnetization after the current stops, unlike most steels. This material also has higher magnetic permeability which increases the force of the electromagnet

Answer 2

For an electromagnet , you need a core material with low remnance . That is when you remove the magnetomotive force ( current in the coil ) the core will ( mostly ) demagnetise and let the load or armature go . Iron or silicon steel has this property .

Other steel alloy do not necessarily have this property . They have a high remnance which means they remain high magnetised even when the mmf is removed . This is an undesirable property for an electromagnet .