Take a look around at any major urban centre in your general location. Towering structures rise above the ground and overlook many businesses and outlets. The institutions and markets we visit daily also appear quite contemporary, superficially speaking. That is due to the materials that were used to construct them.
For the most part, steel will have been used in some fashion. It is often used for constructing structures and buildings. The construction process begins in the design phase, involving intricate steel shop drawings. Afterwards, architects and labourers turn these plans into reality. Despite being a crucial construction material, the alloy has many other purposes. Some purposes of steel may not have been thought of before by the average person.
Here are the most common and fun facts to know about steel.
Fact #1: Elasticity
Some materials come to mind quicker than others when considering elastic materials. Rubber, for example, is one such material immediately brought to the forefront. It allows the inevitable result to be as malleable as possible. Steel may not be thought of in this light, but the alloy is incredibly elastic.
Some versions of steel are more elastic than the rubber itself! The alloy’s composition allows it to return to its original shape if needed. This has to do with applying a given amount of stress. Due to this fact, steel can be seen as a counterpart to rubber in terms of elasticity.
Fact #2: Strength
Reinforced steel is one of the most durable materials in existence. Compared to its metallic counterparts, steel is often seen as the superior material. However, many of us may not know how strong the allow can be. Steel can be almost one-thousand times stronger than any metal if put side by side.
This can be compounded by the fact that carbon further strengthens steel. The addition of carbon enhances steel when it comes to its inherent tensile strength. For example, steel may be considered more efficient than iron. That is why many construction developers choose to use this in modern-day projects.
Fact #3: Provides Employment
Speaking of development, manufacturing is a wide-ranging industry. There are a ton of sectors within construction alone, all of which have a preference for materials and resources. As the name implies, the steel industry is one of the largest. Due to this, it provides significant employment to those wanting to get involved.
Since it has been around for centuries, the number of workers in the steel industry has only grown. Over two million people are estimated to work in the steel industry worldwide. Even though it requires excessive care and work, jobs are always available here. If you need a quick means of earning money, it may be worth it to explore the sector!
Fact #4: Environmental Benefits
As it stands right now, the world has put a lot more emphasis on our carbon footprint. As a result, trying to reduce said footprint allows the overall environment to benefit. The average person will try to recycle their discarded materials at home. Thankfully, steel is one such alloy that can be recycled quite easily.
Any one of your products made out of steel can eventually find its way into a recycled format. All these products can be broken down and discarded safely from cars to tools. By smelting the alloy down, the remains left behind will not cause long-term environmental damage. Therefore, it allows us to remain consistent with our environmentally friendly goal!
Fact #5: Utility Pole Creation
Regarding fun facts one did not know, the car above can be broken down for various purposes. Most cars are made of steel, so their recyclability remains vital. Then, the material garnered from recycled steel can create several important things.
For example, one car is estimated to provide enough recycled steel to create four utility poles! This provides even more of a reason to continue recycling steel to benefit the overall world we live in. Despite more purposes designated for recycled steel, creating more out of less is a wondrous idea.
Fact #6: Long-Term Efficiency
Like many metallic counterparts, steel is an alloy with a lifetime warranty. In addition, steel may even outlive most human beings in terms of age. Of course, this comes down to what the alloy is being used for.
The steel used for various home upkeep purposes can result in a worthwhile investment. By using steel in your home in some capacity, you can rest assured that it will not go bad. Overall, it’s a smart endeavour, especially considering how the alloy was created!
