metal, metallic element - any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

alpha iron - a magnetic allotrope of iron; stable below 906 degrees centigrade

beta iron - an allotrope of iron that is the same as alpha iron except that it is nonmagnetic; stable between 768 and 906 degrees centigrade

gamma iron - a nonmagnetic allotrope of iron that is the basis of austenite; stable between 906 and 1403 degrees centigrade

delta iron - an allotrope of iron that is stable between 1403 degrees centigrade and the melting point (= 1532 degrees)

ingot iron - iron of high purity

cast iron - an alloy of iron containing so much carbon that it is brittle and so cannot be wrought but must be shaped by casting

wrought iron - iron having a low carbon content that is tough and malleable and so can be forged and welded

steel - an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range

galvanized iron - iron that is coated with zinc to protect it from rust

iron ore - an ore from which iron can be extracted

pig iron - crude iron tapped from a blast furnace

scrap iron - iron to be melted again and reworked

structural iron - iron that has been cast or worked in structural shapes