V. Are these statements true or false? Correct the false statements.
There are many kinds of steels.
Three major classes are carbide steels, low-alloy steels, and high-alloy steels.
Carbon steel was used in building the Golden Gate Bridge.
Great strength, hardness and other valuable mechanical properties are obtained by the addition of a great amount of carbon.
Low-alloy steels are the most popular kind of steel.
Tool steel is used for producing automobile bodies, ships and spoons.
Tool steel is not cost-efficient.
Tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, and chromium in different combinations may improve high-temperature performance of stainless steel.
A remarkable resistance of stainless steel to corrosion and heat is achieved with the help of chromium and high carbon content.
Activity
II. Translate the passage into Russian. Use the dictionary if necessary.
Owing to the valuable properties of stainless steel its application may vary from spoons to bank vaults. This steel does not rust because of the interaction between its alloying elements and the environment. Stainless steel contains iron, chromium, manganese, silicon, carbon and significant amounts of nickel and molybdenum. These elements react with oxygen from water and air and produce a very thin stable film of metal oxides and hydroxides, which may prevent additional corrosion because it limits the access of oxygen and water to the metal layers below. This film may not be seen without a powerful microscope that is why steel seems stainless when it is in fact corroded at the atomic level.
In summary, stainless steel does not rust because it may form a corrosion product layer for the protection against further attacks of oxygen.