Alloys and interstitial compounds
d-Block Elements (Transition Metals) · Chemistry
Study notes
Pure iron is soft; steel (Fe + ~1% C) is hard. Explain. Step 1: Pure Fe layers slide easily over each other → soft, malleable. Step 2: Carbon atoms lodge in interstitial holes between Fe atoms. Step 3: They pin the layers, blocking slip → much harder. Step 4: Just 1% carbon transforms soft iron into steel — interstitial hardening!