Steel is a metal. It is an alloy of the elements iron and carbon. It typically contains less than 2 percent carbon, and may have some manganese and other elements. Stainless steel’s primary alloying element is chromium. It contains between 12 to 30 percent chromium and may contain some nickel. Stainless steel is used to make many items, such as flatware, utensils, automobile parts, jewelry and restaurant and hospital equipment.