Over 30 metals are in use today. Some are not expensive and are useda lot, others are expensive but are still used because of they have special properties.
Many metals perform better when they are mixed with other materials to form alloys. Alloys have improved properties like higher strength or easier casting.
Bronze was probably the earliest alloy used. It is made up of copper and tin, these ingredients often occur together naturally. Today the most important alloy today is steel. Steel is a form of iron with a small amount of carbon. Sometimes more materials are added to steel to enhance its properties. To make steel resist rusting chromium and manganese are added creating stainless steel!
