More about Steel

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An alloy composed primarily of iron, steel is one of the defining materials of the last two centuries. Traditionally, steels were combinations of iron and carbon, but there are now many classes of steel that now alloy iron with other materials and exclude carbon. The key attributes of a steel are that it be iron-based and formable into permanent shapes.

Steel is typically measured by a number of qualities, including its hardness, machinability, and resistance to wear. Various alloys provide different advantages and are therefore used for certain applications where those qualities are useful. For instance, stainless steel, an alloy containing at least 10.5 % chromium and usually nickel, is corrosion resistant, and suits a wide range of medical applications. The alloy 300M, a low alloy steel, is used in situations where high-strength steel is necessary. Steels with high levels of chromium and no nickel are perfect for many blades, especially in household use. Other ratings include the Rockwell B & C scales, which rank harder metals with higher numbers. A Rockwell B scale ranking of approximately 96 corresponds to a rank of 20 on the Rockwell C scale.

Steel can be shaped in an endless assortment of forms. However, most steel is produced for machining in bars, rods, sheets, balls and tubes. Other shapes are available, but these are the most common—tubes, in fact, are generally produced from sheet stock. Steel can be made from either recycled, re-melted steel or from raw materials, which normally include iron ore, limestone and coke. More than 1 billion metric tons of steel are produced each year, and there are more than 3,500 different grades of steel available to consumers. Its considerable use can be attributed to its role in automotives, construction and heavy industry, as well as the different capabilities of its many alloys.