Steel is a very useful material that is utilized in a myriad of applications. Steel is utilized in over 55% of automobiles. Its flexibility is determined by the type of alloy elements that are used to make it since these factors affect the strength of the material, durability, and performance. The method in which metal is cooled can have an impact on its microstructure and therefore, its overall properties. It is also manipulated to attain specific properties like yield strength, machinability and resistance to corrosion.
Steel is iron that has had other elements alloyed to it in order to improve its physical properties and make it suitable for particular uses. The proportions of additional alloying elements determines what category of steel a particular steel belongs to and the overall performance for various applications.
For example, stainless steel contains a minimum of 11% chromium. This makes it impervious to corrosion. This makes it perfect for a wide range of uses, such as cutlery or kitchen utensils. Tool steel, in contrast has an extremely high resistance to abrasion and hardness that makes it a favorite for hand machines and tools. Additionally, the high ductility and weldability of carbon steels make them suitable for a broad array of applications. Electrical steel is a steel grade that has silicon (typically at least 3%) This enhances the magnetic properties and decreases eddy current losses making it ideal for transformer cores and electric motor laminations.
