This, in time, was changed to copper, the king of all commercial metals.

Lead is the softest and weakest of all the commercial metals, being very pliable and inelastic.

The lead of commerce is one of the purest commercial metals, containing as a rule only a few tenths per cent of impurities.

Last month, he dropped his hostile bid for Commercial Metals Co CMC.N.

Oct 20 - Commercial Metals says prepared to consider any recommendation by Icahn.

A Commercial Metals representative declined to comment on Icahn's latest move.

Oct 19 - Icahn nominates three directors to the board of Commercial Metals.

Commercial Metals Co rejected investor Carl Icahn's buyout bid, saying the offer substantially undervalued the company.

Dec 2 - Icahn sets a deadline for Commercial Metals to respond to his buyout offer.

The weak market has hit shares of many steelmakers, including Commercial Metals', making them attractive acquisition targets.

About Commercial Metals Company Commercial Metals Company, recycles and markets steel and metal products, related materials and services.

Icahn, Commercial Metals' largest shareholder with an about 10 percent stake, last month nominated three directors to the company's board.

Commercial Metals shares closed up 21 cents on Friday at $14.51.

This year he has already dropped a $1.73 billion bid for Commercial Metals Co CMC.N.

Icahn's stake in Commercial Metals fell to 7.49 percent, as of April 17, a regulatory filing showed.

Commercial Metals shares were trading at $13.87 on Friday afternoon on the New York Stock Exchange.