Every day we see on the streets, in the structures and in the buildings different types of steel that provide height, quality and aesthetics to a structure. In addition to strength and hardness, or we go to a restaurant and see how they prepare our food on an iron griddle while they move the meat or the condiments with the help of a steel spatula.
These are just some examples of industries that use steel as the basis of their services or their inputs and materials. However, steel is used in different ways, for different purposes and from different perspectives.
Most of the steels we see throughout the industry are alloys, so each of them have a different purpose or objective, as depending on their alloy will be the characteristics with which they are endowed.
Next, we present the most common materials and their alloys, so that in the future, where you need to make a quote or require a material for a specific ecosystem, you can recognize the different existing alloys.
Alloys
There are different types of steel or ferric components that are unique and that are born of the same nature, however, each one has different characteristics and by themselves are not good enough to be used.
For this reason, different materials, steels and raw materials are used that melt and a plate is bathed or made entirely with the material that is used. That is an alloy, a way in which, through a heat treatment, a material much more robust and with many more characteristics is created that accompany it.
Depending on the materials with which it is combined will be the result it gives, as well as the characteristics it will have. In the following lines we will tell you more about these alloys.
Stainless steel
It is one of the most well-known alloys for its great nobility and resistance, in addition to being one of the cheapest to produce. Stainless steel has become very popular for construction projects, due to its high resistance to oxidation and corrosion caused by the natural environment or its inclemencies.
Unlike some materials known in the industry, stainless steel is superior to chrome because its alloy contains an amount of it that protects it.
Finally, stainless steel is a highly recyclable material and can be reused, since, if it is melted again and combined with other substances, it can continue to be used, or otherwise, it can be coated with a layer of chrome and other materials that will give it hardness and prolong its useful life.
Carbon steel
Steel that contains carbon as the main alloying material is highly malleable and can be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes that allow them to have a unique and aesthetic design.
It can be of low carbon content, medium or high carbon content. The more carbon it has, the greater its malleability. Although it is a highly profitable alloy, it is very easily oxidized, so it requires high maintenance to avoid such corrosion
Cobalt steel
These types of steels are ideal for extreme temperatures or with high friction, it also has a bright blue appearance that cobalt gives it, however, that color can be chemically treated after the production process to be removed.
Cobalt steel is a bit brittle and hard so there may be breaks or cracks over time and use, it is recommended that it be used in fixed situations, where it is not necessary to exert pressure against the steel or that it has a very large prominence. If it stays fixed it is better.
High speed steel
On some occasions, unlike cobalt steel, steel is needed to produce tools or interact with other steels. For this, steels are manufactured with a significant increase in hardness, resistance and durability.
For this, alloys are made with tungsten, vanadium, molybdenum and cobalt in different amounts and percentages. This makes its hardness and resistance much greater with the possibility of being able to produce and manufacture heavy-duty tools.
This material is also known as HSS and is very resistant to abrasions and frictions. High speed steel is very affordable and can be produced in industrial quantities, therefore, it is used for the manufacture of work tools.
Carbon steel
When alloys are made with carbide, an extremely strong material is created with three times more strength than its natural state, thanks to the treatment it undergoes, by hardening and cooling its alloy it becomes much better.
This type of steel is dangerous if inhaled, so its production must be under severe health restrictions, safety and always by professionals with experience.
Carbide is commonly added in steel structures that are already mounted and that present, for some reason, oxidation, bends or anomalies. Carbide gives it extra support to continue fulfilling its function.
These are some of the alloys and types of steel materials most used or that can be of common use, depending on their use will be the recommended alloy. However, bear in mind that there are many other similar or very different processes, but that in the end they reach a specific end.
If you require more information about the different alloys you can obtain or you have a project you need to carry out, do not hesitate to contact us, at Ulbrinox we create supply chains in precision metals of all kinds, quote your project now and reach the goal that you and your client need.
