The most commonly used metal in the entire world is “Steel.” There are abundant steel types available in the market suitable for different industry types and functions.
They can be broadly classified into four categories. These include carbon steel, stainless steel, tool steel, and alloy steel.
Each steel kind has a distinct use in various sectors.
Carbon steel, due to its high tensile strength, is predominantly used in buildings and bridges.
Manufacturing parts die, and tools have tool steel as the chief component.
Stainless steel is primarily used in manufacturing household items.
There is more to steel metal than you might know.
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and chromium. It is considered the best option for household items because of only 10.5% chromium content.
This makes it 200 times more resistant than other steel types.
Further, some components are added to the steel to make it suitable for various purposes.
Some of these additives are:
- Nickel
- Nitrogen
- Copper
- Carbon
- Silicon
Features of Stainless Steel
There are reasons behind adding all these additives during the manufacturing of stainless steel.
- To make them corrosion resistant
- Increase durability
- Increase strength
- To make them High/low-temperature resistant
- To make them highly sustainable
- Controlled magnetism
Applications of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is recyclable and easy to sterilize. Thus, making it the number one choice for manufacturing household products.
Besides, stainless steel is used in architecture and even aerospace industries.
- Kitchen tools- Sinks, cutlery, and cookware
- Aerospace industry- aircraft bodies and rail cars.
- Surgical equipment like in dentistry
- Petrochemical industry
- Furnaces
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Machine parts like electric motors
What is Alloy Steel?
Stainless steel is a steel alloy. Now, you might wonder what is alloy steel.
Alloy steel includes about 5% of those alloying components, unlike stainless steel.
Some of these alloying elements include:
- Zinc
- Lead
- Titanium
- Manganese
- Tungsten
Features of Alloy Steel
Each alloy adds a specific feature and strength to steel.
- Lead- Improves machinability
- Titanium- Reduces hardness due to crystallization
- Manganese- Prevents brittleness
- Tungsten- Increases hardness at high temperatures
- Nickel- Improves corrosion resistance
Applications of Alloy Steel
The high strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability make it the superior choice for various industries.
- Manganese alloy steel is used in armor plates and security safes. This makes it quite difficult to break through.
- Silicon alloy steel contains 1-5% of silicon and is used for manufacturing magnets.
- Nickel steel alloy is the best fit for manufacturing vehicle bodies and metal gears.
Formation Process of Steel
It is crucial to carefully fabricate the steel utilizing the necessary steps to get the desired characteristics.
Hot rolling
The steel undergoes a very high temperature, which is above the recrystallization temperature of steel. It is important to keep the temperature steady, a large number of variations can disrupt the properties of steel.
This makes the steel softer to mold. This process is carried on multiple times to obtain the desired shape.
Cold rolling
Cold rolling is the process of shaping the metal at temperatures lower than the steel’s recrystallization temperature.
This process mainly involves turning, grinding, and polishing. To get precise finishing, cold rolling is the preferred choice.
They are harder and stronger than hot-rolled steel.
Pickling
The scale residue on steel’s surface impacts the durability, corrosion resistance, and strength of the metal.
The cleaning of the stainless steel product is either done with acid baths or heating and cooling in an oxygen-free environment.
Conclusion
It is important to understand the features and advantages of various types of steel, to gain maximum profit. Both stainless steel and alloy steel have their merits and demerits for a specific industry.
Making the right choice for your industry can be difficult, making it cardinal to receive an expert opinion. Bhavya Industries is certain to provide the best advice for its customers. We believe in eminent customer satisfaction. As an industry active for more than 25 years, we have the relevant sources and knowledge.
