What is steel?

Steel is an alloy of iron with a carbon content that can vary between 0,03% and 1,075% by weight of its composition, depending on the grade.

It is not the same as iron and the two materials should not be confused. Iron (Fe) is a relatively hard and tough metal, with a melting point of 1535 °C and a boiling point of 2740 °C.

The main difference with iron is in the percentage of carbon: it is iron with a carbon percentage of between 0,03% and 1,075%.

Steel retains the metallic characteristics of iron in its pure state, but the addition of carbon and other metallic and non-metallic elements improves its physical-chemical properties, especially its resistance.

There are many types depending on the elements present. Each type will allow different applications and uses, which makes it a versatile and widely used material in modern life, where we can find it widely on avenues and bridges.

Properties of Steel

Properties depend on their chemical composition and the type of treatment applied. The most important characteristics that all steels share are:

Hardness: it is difficult to penetrate.

Resistance: It is able to withstand torsion, compression, traction and bending without deforming.

Malleability: withstands forces without breaking.

Ductility: It can be deformed at high temperatures into conductive wires and threads or into thin sheets.

The types of treatment that steels undergo to enhance some of their properties are:

Heat treatment: heat application.

Thermochemical treatment: use of chemicals and heat.

Surface treatment: coverings of other materials.

Mechanical treatment: introduction into cold and hot environments.

Types of Steel

The types of steel are classified according to their composition. Some of them are:

Ordinary or carbon steel: is that which is composed only of iron and carbon.

Special: It combines iron, carbon and other elements such as aluminum, manganese, among others.

Cast iron: It is an alloy that includes silicon or nickel used in pipes and valves, pumps and automotive parts due to its resistance to corrosion in liquids with a high pH (neutral and alkaline). It is further classified as grey cast iron and nodular cast iron.

Stainless: Its composition includes chromium which makes it resistant to corrosion and oxidation. In addition, it has a more attractive appearance since it is polished.

High speed steel: This type of alloy contains tungsten used to make high-speed cutting tools used in factories.

The two main components of steel are found in abundance in nature. It can be recycled indefinitely without losing its attributes, which favors its large-scale production.

This variety and availability makes it suitable for numerous uses such as the construction of machinery, tools, buildings, electrical structures and public works, in aeronautics, in the automotive industry, in greenhouses, in medical instruments, in the furniture sector, among others. Contributing to the technological development of industrialized societies, since no material can match it when it comes to resistance to impact or fatigue.