Cutting-edge 3-D printers are among the many products that could see benefits from new steel technologies STEEL THE BACKBONE OF MANUFACTURING Steel is an alloy in which iron is mixed with carbon Steel can contain other metals such as manganese nickel or chromium Different types of steel have different properties Changing the amount of carbon in steel can change these properties For example the steel in a pair of scissors 8
is harder than the steel in a can of fruit This occurs because the steel in the scissors contains much more carbon than the can increasing its hardness Innovations such as the tungsten oxide coating are making steel more useful than ever The steel industry continues to be a cornerstone of American business A unique and vital material steel is an integral part of a huge variety of products and structures It is no exaggeration to say the steel industry has helped to build the modern United States Steel provides the structure and support for famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco California the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis Missouri and the One World Trade Center skyscraper in New York City Carbon Steel The majority of steel produced is carbon steel which contains a small amount of carbon Steels with between 0 05 and 0 25 percent carbon are low-carbon steels They are relatively soft and easy to shape Steels with up to 1 percent carbon are called high-carbon steels 2 High-carbon steels are usually hard and brittle A variety of products are made from carbon steels such as car bodies steel cans and engine parts In addition to building these landmarks steel touches almost every part of modern life People around the world rely on steel for housing transportation energy production tools health care and food and water supplies We enjoy the benefits of steel in all aspects of our lives From the moment we wake up until we go to sleep at night we rely on steel in almost every aspect of our day says Thomas Gibson president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute He continues 9
Types of Steels Alloy steels contain elements such as chromium copper manganese nickel or silicon in addition to iron and carbon These elements give alloy steels additional properties as compared to carbon steels They are often stronger and harder than carbon steels Tool steels are made with added elements such as nickel and tungsten to make them especially strong These steels are used to make tools and machine parts Tool steels are usually tempered to make them tough In tempering steel is heated to a high temperature and then cooled very quickly Then it is heated again at a lower temperature Many household items are made with stainless steels This type of steel contains high amounts of chromium and nickel Stainless steels resist corrosion They are easy to clean polish and sterilize In the kitchen our refrigerator is made of steel and so many other appliances have steel components On our way to the office a job site or to school we rely on the safety of steel to reinforce our roads define our bridges and form the body of our cars and trucks As we glance out our windows we may notice that signs guardrails railroad tracks construction cranes pipes commercial buildings and telephone utility poles are all made of steel And even though we may not notice the computers we use 24-7 have steel in them 3 BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Steel also has an important role in the world’s sustainable future One of the biggest challenges facing countries worldwide is the growing need for sustainable energy As energy demands increase and fossil fuel reserves are depleted steel will be an integral part of delivering renewable energy 10
The structural strength of steel enables the building of tall wind turbine towers that can catch high winds hundreds of feet above the ground Modern steel can build taller stronger and lighter-weight towers for wind turbines Roofing systems using solar power combine photovoltaic cells with steel panels coated in zinc In the fields of wind solar wave and tidal power steel is an essential element for renewable energy Steel is also an important part of a variety of sustainable products High-strength steels are strong and light allowing less steel to deliver the same amount of strength Using these steels manufacturers can create lighter vehicles which require less fuel and release less emissions Such steels are also used to build energy-efficient appliances They frame energy efficient buildings too 11
