Alloys impart new qualities to pure metals for certain select uses. Iron is very soft and adding a small amount of carbon produces harder steel. Adding a small amount of chrome to steel produces stainless steel that better resists corrosion. Adding a small amount of lead to steel makes it more easily machined. The alloys generally affect the composition of iron crystals including the grain boundaries between crystals permitting the metal to be heat treated to improve its properties.
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