Understanding steel

Steel is all around you, and the modern world as you know it would simply come to a standstill without it. But do you know exactly where steel comes from, how it is manufactured and the many forms it takes?

What exactly is steel?

Steel is an alloy, or metal blend, formed from iron and carbon. Steel is renowned for its strength and durability, and it literally underpins the modern world. You'll find steel nearly everywhere you look, from railways to roads and buildings. In fact, any large structure, from airports to bridges, is likely to be held up by a skeleton of steel, or reinforced with steel supports.

How is steel manufactured?

Because of its strength, steel is very difficult to bend or shape at normal temperatures, however once it is heated to extreme temperatures and subjected to enormous pressure, steel can be moulded into almost any shape imaginable. The precise processes used to manufacture and shape steel will impact its strength, and elements such as niobium, manganese or vanadium can be added to the mix to make it stronger.

Is steel expensive?

Steel was once an extremely expensive product reserved for small items like cutlery and swords, but advances in manufacturing during the 19th century have made steel a much more accessible alloy, enabling its spread throughout the modern world.

Modern steel sales

Today, steel merchants sell steel throughout the world. From household improvements such as carports to farm necessities like gates and even the immense supports making large scale construction projects possible, professionals specialising in steel sales can supply you with steel in both custom and prefabricated forms.

Standard steel products

There are many prefabricated steel products on the market, and most are available in a range of finishes, from stainless to black and galvanised steel.

Some standard steel forms include:

• Steel sheets

• Structural supports, including beams, channels and angled supports

• Steel bars, from flat, round and square bars to angled bars

• Line pipes, flanges and fittings

Custom steel services

The beauty of steel is that it can be adapted to suit any project, and modern steel merchants commonly process steel to exact specifications. Using intensely powerful equipment, they offer a choice of cutting and punching processes, including cold saw, oxy and laser cutting.

Thanks to modern manufacturing processes and the ease of shipping and delivery, steel is readily available and cost effective. Whatever your needs, your local steel merchant can help you realise your construction goals.