Steel is an alloy of several metals, and its quality depends on several factors. In modern manufacturing, steel is an alloy produced from iron ore and scrap metal. These are melted together to form pig iron which is the raw unprocessed form of iron. Steel is used for a variety of commercial purposes. One of the most common uses of industrial steel is the production of construction materials such as thermomechanically treated steel bars and manufacturing steel. Thermomechanically treated steel bars are widely used for various types of construction work.
THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF STEEL
- Carbon content
The percentage of carbon in the steel decides the quality. High carbon steel is brittle with low weldability and ductility. A higher percentage of carbon increases the hardness and strength of steel, but also makes it more brittle. With this in mind, steel with a low carbon percentage of 0.10 to 0.25% is therefore preferred for building or structural work. - Chemical composition
Industrial steel contains traces of many other minerals such as silicon, sulfur, phosphorus and manganese. The right concentration of these materials can affect the quality of steel by increasing hardness, corrosion resistance and strength, ductility and weldability. The presence of these materials results in a smaller grain size which in turn makes the steel stronger and more durable. - Thermal treatment
The steel cooling process is a very important factor that plays a big role in how good the final product will be. The different cooling rates at which the steel is tempered, the heat treatment applied and the temperatures affect the strength and quality of the steel. Faster cooling results in retention of carbon atoms in the alloy resulting in brittle steel. Slow cooling produces steel that is high in strength and ductility.
Accordingly, the MILCO company procures steel profiles exclusively from producers who practice the highest quality method of steel production and processing.
