Is stainless steel a compound or a mixture?
Answers
Answer:
alloy
Explanation:
Stainless steel is a mixture (alloy) of iron, carbon, chromium, and nickel. Carbon gives hardness to the mixture. Chromium and nickel give a silvery look to the mixture.
Stainless steel is an alloy. Alloys are formed by combining elements in a definite proportion in a molten state and then letting the mixture cool to solidify. So, stainless steel is a mixture.
Stainless steel is composed of elements such as Iron, Carbon, Chromium and may also contain Nickel sometimes. When it contains nickel, it can be called Nichrome steel. It is inert and does not corrode. Stainless steel has a variety of uses in today's world:
- It is used for cooking vessels, utensils, cutlery.
- Construction of houses
- Dentistry.
Compounds are formed when certain elements are chemically combined or react. Alloys on other hand are formed by the simple mixing of elements in different proportions.
Therefore, stainless steel is an alloy and not a compound.