For a long time, the steel industry has been a major aspect of any country’s economic growth and industrialization. The demand for steel from the distributors has shifted from the developing economies to the emerging markets. Steel distributors in India have scaled up their businesses with the expansion of manufacturing sectors, either in automobiles or machinery. The recent market changes in the steel industry have presented the dominant businesses with many opportunities as well as challenges. The demand for steel from steel distributors has increased with the population migrating to cities. More projects are made based on construction and infrastructure.
The recycling of steel plays a vital role for the sustainable future of the steel industries. Steel being in the list of most recycled materials, demonstrates potential for economic principles.
What is the process of recycling steel?
- Steel distributors in India collect scrap steel from various construction sites, manufacturers, and consumers.
- The scrap that is collected is sorted out based on its quality and composition.
- The larger pieces of the steel are shredded into smaller and more appropriate sizes.
- The shredded steel is further melted with the help of electric arc or basic oxygen furnaces.
- The impurities from the steel are removed during the melting, and they are composed according to the needs and steel grade requirements.
- The steel is melted and then converted into various forms of slabs or blooms.
- With rolling, forging and other processes, these products are formed into final products.
What is Carbon steel and its types?
Carbon steel is the most widely used material in buildings, manufacturing and industries. It is used because of its hardness, ductile and durable qualities. There are various types of carbon steel depending on their strength and adaptability:-
- Low carbon steel is famous because of its low cost with the ease of fabrication and welding. It is soft, ductile with easy formability. This type of steel is included in making bridges, pipelines and parts of automobiles.
- Medium carbon steel gives more balance of strength and toughness which is greater than low carbon steel. Carbon steel in India is used to manufacture train wheels or tracks along with machines and automotive components.
- High carbon steel is the most durable of all types with its high strength, hardness and wear resistance. It is more brittle of all so if not properly heat treated it can crack or break under high stress. It is the most expensive type of carbon steel but its durable and long lasting nature makes it a more cost effective option.
What are the different applications of Carbon steel?
- Carbon steel is used in automobile industries to make components like engine parts, body panels or suspension. The steel with low alloy amount is used in safety aspects of cars like the systems in airbags.
- Carbon steel in India is utilized in components of the aerospace industry like engine parts, gear for landing and hydraulics. Low-alloy carbon steel is used to make the structure of the aircraft.
Comparison between Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel
Carbon steel consists of forms like traditional and low alloy, if low carbon and stainless steel is compared then stainless provides high resistance to corrosion, strength and hardness. Unlike carbon steel, stainless steel thrives through oxidation, corrosion or humid environments. But carbon steel being cheaper than stainless is suited for components like tubes, beams and many more manufacturing operations.
Conclusion:-
Steel distributors have scaled up their manufacturing processes because of the demand in the market. With the demand many distributors are adapting to digital solutions for the analysis, customer service and inventory management. Carbon steel is appreciated for its diverse properties and cost effective nature. Its strength, weldability and durability makes it preferred for structural and manufacturing purposes.
