Steel is our world’s most important industrially produced material. There are so many things that we would be missing out on if steel did not exist. Structures, society, buildings, and steel items would not exist, rendering our world prehistoric.
Our society is wholly dependent on steel. Do you know what are the cool things made out of steel in our world today? Here are six cool things made of steel materials:
1. Construction materials are made of steel.
Many construction materials are made of steel. A large share of finished steel products supports structures and buildings from plates, strips, bars, rods, tubes, and wires. Each element is processed in the engineering industry into its intended applications, known as end products.
These finished products are used in the construction industry for various purposes, such as metal roofing, steel beams, reinforced steel, and mounting brackets.
2. Motor parts are made of steel.
Product fabrication also takes place at steel companies. This manufacturing process renders high-purity stainless steel tubing for the electronics industry and metal injection safety components for the automobile industry. These materials end up in things from small vehicles such as motorbikes and bicycles to huge transportation such as trucks and ships.
About 60% of steel is used in rebar, plates, and rail tracks. In contrast, about 50% of steel uses underground pipelines to distribute water and gas to power stations, pumping houses, and for domestic use.
3. Buildings and structures are made of steel.
Steel is used in structured sections providing a robust and stiff frame for the building. In structures, steel makes up at least 25% of the components of buildings. Steel is also used to create reinforced bars that add tensile strength and stiffness to concrete.
Steel is a favoured material because it binds well to concrete and has a thermal expansion ability, and it’s also robust and relatively cost-effective. Steel sheets are created for purlins, roofing, ceilings, cladding, internal walls, and insulating panels for exterior walls. Rails, shelving, and stairs also use steel because they bond well with internal fixtures and fittings and for non-structural applications such as interior ducting.
You can also find steel used in stainless steel corner guards. Steel and metal corner guards provide ideal impact protection for your appliances, furniture, and wall corners, especially in high-traffic areas. You can find corner guards in various finishes to match your interiors, so everything looks stylish and polished.
Corner guards are also used for industrial purposes as they offer extreme corner protection for equipment such as industrial kitchens and back dock areas. You can either attach these with screws or high-strength adhesive.
4. Art is made with steel materials.
Another reason why steel is the preferred metal is that it can be quickly joined together. This is why it’s a big attraction for sculptors who mainly use welding to attach pieces of steel to form a work of art. Steel is partially melted and joined together, and as it cools, it hardens to make the desired shape the sculptor has in mind.
Sculptors also use methods such as sanding and grinding to add texture to steel. Things like monuments and statues are some of the designs that use steel. Steel sculptures can stand the test of time in almost any weather condition. It is versatile and can be applied to many different art projects, resulting in a cleaner and polished finish.
5. Medicine is made of steel.
Did you know that steel is also used in the medical industry? Steel’s hardness, relatively low price, and durability make it an excellent material in the medical industry. For this reason, steel is used in many items in the medical industry, from medical furniture to plumbing and medical utensils.
About 1% of stainless steel produced in the world is used in the medical industry. Steel resists corrosion, has minimal contact with the body and can withstand sterility requirements. It does not lose its property after one or two uses. It is also wear-resistance.
That said, for medical uses, only specific steel grades are used, which are Y7A, Y8A, Y10A Y12A. The Y means carbon steel, and the A stands for high-quality steel grade.
6. Everyday items are made of steel.
Life will not be the same without steel in our lives. When we think about steel, our immediate thoughts go straight to construction and buildings, and we forget that steel also exists in the small things such as paper clips, radiators, kitchen sink units, and cutlery. Steel is used in home storage solutions such as shelving units and cabinets. Most appliances such as ovens and refrigerators are also made with steel components.
Because steel is non-porous, it is a favoured element in creating a full stainless steel kitchen for modern homes as it doesn’t scratch easily, is easy to clean, and does not ruse despite constant use. This means you don’t need to worry about lingering germs and bacteria on kitchen surfaces and appliances, and this presents an ideal environment for homes with children and pets.