Steel Basics
Steel comes in a number of different forms. Slabs and blooms are long, flat pieces of steel fabricator with cross-sectional areas greater than 36 in (90 cm). Billets are smaller, usually between two and five inches square. Their shapes vary widely, depending on the type of processing required. The most common types of steel are stainless steel and carbon steel.
Basic properties
When studying the basic properties of steel, students should be familiar with the American Standards for Testing Materials. These standards describe the stress-strain behavior of steel at various temperatures. They should also understand the shapes of steel that are available. Some types of steel are available in only one or two shapes. Moreover, students should be familiar with the different types of steel and their properties.
In addition to the strength, another important property is ductility. This property describes the ability of a material to withstand the stress without permanent deformation. This property is very important for design purposes and fabrication processes. Most steel standards require that a minimum ductility level be met in order to guarantee that design assumptions are valid.
Common uses
Steel is a common material used in construction and manufacturing industries. It is a strong and inexpensive material that is often used to construct buildings. The properties of steel include tensile strength, hardness, and elasticity. Steel can be used for a variety of applications in these industries, including construction, transportation, and agriculture. Steel is also used in the manufacture of conveyor machines, feeders, screens, and more. Custom equipment can be made with steel and VIBRA-WEAR(tm) technology to handle tough, high-impact and abrasion applications.
Almost every industry uses steel, and it is the most widely used and recycled material on Earth. Around half of all steel is used for construction purposes, while another fifteen percent is used in transportation. Steel is a useful material for construction, and most buildings are supported by steel skeletons. Steels are also used to reinforce concrete structures, such as bridges.
Processes used to make steel
Steel is a material used in the manufacturing of many products. There are several different processes used to make steel. The molten material is first poured into a mold and allowed to cool. Afterward, the steel is drawn out of the moulds using guided rolls. Once the steel is fully cooled, it is then cut into the lengths desired. In some cases, it is hot rolled, which removes casting defects and produces the desired shape and surface quality.
Steel production is a 24-hour, 365-day process that uses a vast amount of energy and raw materials. According to the World Steel Association, world crude steel production increased from 851 Mt in 2001 to 1,606 Mt in 2013. At the same time, steel use per capita increased steadily from 150 kg in 2001 to 225 kg in 2013.
Common alloys
Alloys are metallic compounds made from two or more different chemical elements. One of the elements is usually the main metal, and another is called an alloying agent. The main metal, or parent metal, must constitute at least ninety percent of the alloy. The other component is usually a nonmetal or a non-metal, and is present in smaller amounts.
There are many types of alloy steel. Some are made from carbon steel, while others contain aluminum, chromium, manganese, nickel, silicon, or titanium. Alloy steels are used for various applications and often exhibit better corrosion resistance. Some types are case-hardened and have high strength and good fatigue resistance.
Grades of steel
There are several different types of steel and each is used for different purposes. Stainless steel is one type that is widely used in construction because of its resistance to corrosion. It is also popularly used in medical equipment, cutting tools, and food processing equipment. Stainless steel alloys are also often used in kitchen appliances and other products that require high heat and durability.
Different products require different steel grades and manufacturing conditions. The final product’s purpose also influences the choice of steel. For example, products that are designed to drill or cut will need the toughest steel possible, while marine parts will need corrosion-resistant steel. For aerospace components, lightweight materials are required.