Facts You Probably Didn’t Know about steel

 Steel is one of the world's most diverse and useful materials which was first created by mining iron ore from the ground, smelting it in a furnace to remove impurities, and then adding carbon. Existing steel is recycled in today's steel-making process. It is made up of iron and carbon, it is one of the most versatile alloys on the planet. It is used in a wide range of industries, including construction, transportation, rail, automotive, agriculture, and energy, etc.

Steel is the most commonly used material in renewable energy delivery, such as wind, hydro, and solar power, and it can be recycled multiple times without losing its integrity. It is one of the most commonly used metals in fabrication shops because of its ability to withstand corrosion, heat, and pressure due to the presence of the inorganic compound chromium oxide.

So, what is it about steel that makes it so special? Here are fascinating steel facts you probably didn't know!

Steel is a type of alloy: It is important to know the fact that it is not pure metal because it is made up of various metals. They are primarily iron and carbon alloy. Carbon steel contains manganese, silicon alloys, and other elements that are prone to corrosion. Because alloy steel is a combination of several other metals such as copper, aluminum, and nickel, it is less expensive and widely used in mechanical industries such as pipelines and motors. As a result, there are numerous steel types available on the market and used in a variety of industries.

Steel has a higher elasticity than rubber and 1,000 times stronger than iron:  It is a material that can return to its original shape after being deformed under stress. It is approximately 1000 times stronger than iron because it is an alloy composed of iron and traces of carbon. Steel's tensile strength is significantly increased when a small amount of carbon is added to it, resulting in a stronger material.

Steel is one of the most recycled materials on the planet: Some may be surprised to learn that steel is one of the most recycled materials on the planet. The best part is that steel retains its strength when recycled. It is entirely dependent on its composition. In its purest form, steel is nearly a thousand times stronger than iron. The majority of steel products and objects are not made of new steel. They are made from recycled steel. Steel, whether used in automobiles, roofing, or appliances, can always be recycled and easily separated from other materials due to its magnetic properties.

Everything around us is made of steel: Steel objects can be found in your own home. Cabins, utensils, doorknobs, and other items, for example, are made of or contain steel. Its strength and versatility have been tested over the years that it has become a part of everyone's daily lives.

Steel is a good indicator of a strong economy: Steel, as we all know, is used in a variety of industries to construct various objects. Steel is used in everything from skyscrapers to commercial planes because it is in such high demand. If the steel industry grows, it indicates that the economy is growing as well. An increase in construction steel demand indicates that many constructions are taking place, implying that there are more buildings for commercial, residential, or industrial use. Steel, which is used in manufacturing, could also be in demand.

Gulf Steel has years of experience, honing our skills across the board to deliver CARE-approved steel and provide quality customer service to our customers. If you need high-quality steel rebars, you should get in touch with Gulf Steel.

What is the manufacturing process of TMT steel rebars?

 Using Thermo Mechanical Treatment, high-strength reinforcement steel bars are produced, which is commonly known as TMT Steel Rebars. These bars are widely used in the construction industry as they possess several qualities other than strength. TMT bars are in great demand in the construction world due to their unique metallurgical process that combines work hardening along with heat treatment to create robust and high strength bars from low-carbon steel. They are economically viable when compared to conventional steel bars.

Thermo Mechanically Treated Steel bars are mostly used in concrete reinforcement structures, residential buildings, high-rise commercial buildings, flyovers, dams, bridges, thermal plants, industrial structures, and hydel power plants.  They are capable of withstanding heavy loads compared to normal steel and are especially known for their high tensile strength and ductility.

The manufacturing process of TMT steel rebars includes 5 steps:

1.  Extraction of iron from its ore: Iron ore plays an important role in manufacturing the TMT bar. Under this process, raw materials such as iron ore, coke, limestone, etc. are kept in a molten state. When it is the molten stage, all these materials are treated on hot gases. The molten iron is then poured into a casting machine to be shaped into the desired shape.

2. Heating, Rolling, and formation of reinforced bar: The steel billets are heated from 1200°C [2192 F] to 1250°C [2282 F] and are passed through a rolling mill to give shape. In the rolling mill stand, it is heated and rolled rapidly.

3. Quenching: It forms the most crucial stage in the TMT bars manufacturing process. After the milling stand, the bars are quenched by a special water spray system. This is performed to harden the outer surface of the steel. This process benefits to increase the tensile strength, size of shrinks, and durability.

4. Self-Tempering: Once the rebar is out of the quenching box, the core remains hot compared to the surface. The heat flows from the core and gets transferred to the outer surface of the bar. This causes the desired tempering of the outer martensitic layer into a structure called ‘tempered martensitic’. It makes the bars highly ductile.

5. Atmospheric Cooling: This is the final step in the TMT manufacturing process. It involves laying down the bar on a cooling bed at normal temperature. When the bars are cooled down, the final structure will have a strong outer layer with a ductile core.

Gulf Steel is ranked as one of the most reputed Steel Manufacturer in UAE.  They are one of the best producers of construction steel and are a CARE-approved steel company in UAE. If you have any requirements for good quality Thermo Mechanically Treated Steel bars, contact Gulf Steel.

Common mistakes to avoid when working with stainless steel

 

Stainless steel proves to be a very smart choice due to the longevity and durability it offers as a result of the natural oxide protection layer. The steel industry is indispensable for all other industries and is a vital part of human life. Metal fabrication is the process of building machines and structures from raw materials.

Stainless steel is a widely used material across this sector, notable for its corrosion resistance, low maintenance, and familiar luster.

It is common to make certain mistakes when working with stainless steel. Although these can lead to all kinds of potentially unsafe issues. That’s why it’s imperative to understand what common mistakes occur when working with steel.

Highlighted below are some of the common mistakes that people make while working with stainless steel—

1. Inattentiveness towards safety: a common mistake while working with stainless steel can prove to be hazardous and potentially life-threatening. It is very important that you prioritize safety at all times. A strict set of safety standards need to adhere to every step of the way when dealing with any stainless steel task. Project managers and workers should be properly trained when working with steel.
2. Neglecting to clean the surface: another common mistake many steelworkers make is forgoingimportant cleaning steps while simply rushing through a job. The surface of the stainless steel should always be thoroughly cleaned prior to any work being done. Not cleaning the steel surface, dust, oil, and iron filings could lead to all sorts of problems. With many of these materials being highly flammable, it could cause some parts to heat up more than others and lead to unbalanced metal integrity of the structure upon cooling down.
3. Using high heat for welding or cutting: heat is essential in the welding or cutting process of stainless steel. Although, too much heat during the process can cause the metal to become even thinner under the strain which can cause the metal to warp or bend.

Avoiding these mistakes can help in seamlessly working with stainless steel. It is important that you use good quality stainless steel for any of your metal fabrication activities. Gulf Steel Industries is a leading steel manufacturer in UAE with more than 3 decades of experience.

Gulf Steel is ranked as one of the most reputed producers of reinforcement steel bars in the U.A.E, manufacturing DCL approved steel of high quality. Led by a strong management team, the company has focused on technological excellence geared towards the production of high-quality steel products.