Steel

Name:
Steel
Detailed information:
An alloy of iron and 0.02–1.5% carbon; it is made from molten pig iron by oxidizing out the excess carbon and other impurities. The open-hearth process, which uses air for this purpose, has been supplanted by the basic oxygen process in which pure oxygen is injected into molten iron. A small percentage of steel is also made in the electric furnace, with iron ore as oxidant. Low-carbon(mild) steels contain 0.02–0.3% carbon; medium-carbon grades from 0.3–0.7% carbon; and high-carbon grades 0.7–1.5%.There are many special-purpose types of steel in which one or more alloying metals are used, with or without special heat treatment. The most common additives are chromium and nickel, as in the 18-8 stainless steels; these add greatly to corrosion resistance. High-speed and tool steels, designed primarily for efficient cutting, contain such alloying metals as tungsten, molybdenum, manganese, and vanadium as well as chromium. Cobalt and zirconium are used for construction steels.

Available Forms:

Rods, bars, sheet, strips, wire, wool.

Use:

Construction, ship hulls, auto bodies, machinery and machine parts, cables, abrasive, chemical equipment, belts for tire reinforcement.