This month we want to answer the most frequently asked questions about Steel, what is steel, what are its properties, etc.
This is a continuation of our Questions Series. Last time we covered commonly asked questions about CNC machining (stay tuned for part 2 of that).
When Iron is alloyed with carbon and other elements it is called steel. The resultant alloy has applications as the main component of buildings, infrastructure, tools, ships, automobiles, machines, various appliances, and weapons. The uses are myriad because of steels high tensile strength and relatively low cost.
The earliest examples of steel have been discovered in Turkey and date back to 1800BC. The modern production of steel dates back to Sir Henry Bessemer of England who discovered a method of production we high volume and low cost.
Iron is a naturally occurring element found in nature within Iron Ore. Iron is the main component of Steel, which is an alloy of Iron with the main addition of Steel. Steel is stronger than Iron, with better tension and compression properties.
When alloyed with other metals such as aluminum or vanadium, titanium alloy is stronger than many types of steel. In terms of sheer strength, the best titanium alloys beat low to medium grade stainless steels. However, the highest grade of stainless steel is stronger than titanium alloys.
Carbon steels contain Iron, Carbon, and other alloying elements such as Manganese, Silicon, and Copper.
Alloy steels contain common alloy metals in varying proportions, which makes this type of steel suitable for specific applications.
Although stainless steels comprise of several metal alloys, they usually contain 10-20 percent chromium, making it the primary alloying element. Compared to the other forms of steel, stainless steels are approximately 200 times more resistant to rusting, especially the types that contain at least 11 percent chromium. You can read more about stainless steel here.
This type of steel is alloyed at very high temperatures and often contains hard metals like tungsten, cobalt, molybdenum, and vanadium. Since they are not only heat resistant but also durable, tool steels are often used for cutting and drilling equipment.
Type 440 – which is a higher grade of cutlery steel which has a higher percentage of carbon, has much better edge retention when properly heat-treated. It can be hardened to approximately Rockwell 58 hardness, making it one of the hardest stainless steels
One of the most frequently asked questions about steel is why isn’t steel classed as metal? Steel, being an alloy and therefore not a pure element, is not technically a metal but a variation on one instead. It’s partially composed of a metal, iron, but because it also has non-metal carbon in its chemical make-up, it’s not a pure metal.
304 Stainless Steel or Type 304 the most common grade; the classic 18/8 (18% chromium, 8% nickel) stainless steel. Outside of the US, it is commonly known as “A2 stainless steel”, in accordance with ISO 3506 (not to be confused with A2 tool steel)
Steel is a uniquely sustainable material because once it is made it can be used, as steel, forever. Steel is infinitely recycled, so the investment in making steel is never wasted and can be capitalized on by future generations.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and we hope we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions about steel, if you have a question then go ahead and comment and we’ll do our best to answer it.
Here are some of the top eight Questions and Answers on Stainless Steel!
As experts in the field of stainless steel, we are often asked questions about this metal and its many properties, attributes and applications.
Read on to learn from our top Questions and Answers on Stainless Steel.
Stainless steel is an alloy which means that it consists of different materials. When steel has a chromium content of more than 10.5% it is considered to be ‘stainless’.
When this chromium is combined with oxygen it forms a thin, sealed, fixed-adhering, chromic-oxide layer – the so-called passive layer. It is this passive layer that give stainless steel its distinctive corrosion resistance. While not truly stainless, even the most basic stainless steel alloys have an ability to withstand the elements and maintain their shine.
The variety of alloying elements that make up different grades of stainless steels is what allows it to have a range of properties and subsequently be so versatile with many applications.
One of the important developments in the last 10 years is the emergence of highly-alloyed grades of stainless steel. ‘Super-austenitic’, ‘super-ferritic’ and ‘super-duplex’ grades have been developed to be used in the most demanding conditions.
Higher temperatures accelerate rates of corrosion whereas lower temperatures require increased strength. The right choice of stainless steel is crucial to protect it against corrosion.
Higher strength is provided by austenitic, duplex, martensitic and PH steels are usually considered the ‘strongest’. However, the environment it is in can greatly affect a metals performance.
Austenitic steels are thought to be the most weldable, however duplex steels can also be welded if handled with care. Ferritic steels can be welded but it needs to be done in thin sections.
How does one metal get to be used in so many applications! From the humble teaspoon, to the inner workings of a MRI machine, to underground pipe in the depths of the ocean, all the way to the lofty heights of the Chrysler Building, stainless steel is everywhere you look! Within heavy industries, the applications include:
To ensure the best match of properties, a suitable design and manufacturing process, it is important to consider the following requirements:
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