The general term given to alloys of iron is steel. Steel is an alloy of iron that contains a small percentage of carbon, usually between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the type and grade of steel. Other elements such as manganese, silicon, chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum are often added to give the steel specific properties. Steel is a versatile material that can be used in a wide variety of applications, including construction, automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace.