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Fun Facts about Steel and what you may not know!

9/30/2019

14 Comments

 
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Fun Facts about Structural Steel and what you may not know!
 
Steel is a rather diverse material, and we could spend years talking about the variety of uses and why and how it is made. However, just for fun today, let's talk about things you may not know.  Steel is a low-carbon alloy typically made from tin, carbon and, of course, iron.  Due to its ability to withstand heat, tremendous pressure and its corrosion resistance (chromium oxide, an inorganic compound), steel is prevalent in fabrication and across a myriad of industries.
 
Did you know?
Did you know that in the United States, more than 67 percent of steel is recycled every year! That is more than aluminum, plastic, aluminum, and glass combined.  That accounts for approximately 80 million tons in the US alone.  And, we all know that steel can withstand a great deal of weight because it is about 1,000 times stronger than iron in its purest state and that even when recycled it has no loss of strength.
 
Steel is used in renewable energy – in hydro, solar, and wind power.  And, did you know that since the 2nd World War, the steel industry in North America has reduced its energy use by as much as 60 percent and what that means is a reduction in the generation of carbon dioxide.
 
Steel is the second largest industry in the world, after oil and gas, with close to a trillion-dollar turnover.  It is used in nearly every sector from construction and housing (#1 use), packing and machinery, tankers, energy, and, in the automotive and transportation industry.  After Japan and China, the United States is the third-largest producer of steel, and it employs more than two million people around the world, and it is increasing each year.
 
Steel is used in the construction of bridges, but did you know that these bridges are four to eight times lighter than bridges made from concrete! The first skyscraper to use steel was built in 1884 in Chicago.  But did you also know, that the Empire State Building is designed to be dissembled or assembled easily?  And, because steel expands when heated, the Eiffel Tower is taller in summer than it is in winter! Most major appliances are made with steel, and with the increased demand for Stainless Steel appliances, we can see how popular and durable this material is. How about your computer, did you know that chips and other interior components are comprised of steel?
 
In the United States alone, more than 600 cans of steel are recycled every second, and that by recycling just one can we save enough energy to power a lightbulb for four years (60-watt). Many of us rarely think about these things in our daily comings and goings. However, steel has versatility, sustainability, renewability, and contributes to the world in more ways than the economy.  
Steel is an essential part of how we build. Whether you are making a swing set or constructing a building, Spirit Metals can help!  At Spirit, our goal is to understand the needs of your business, your project, and your budget. We partner with you to achieve those goals. Call us today at 813-444-2022 or email, and one of our dedicated team members will assist you!
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14 Comments

Alice Carroll link
11/9/2020 11:33:24 pm

Wow, it's amazing how much lighter structural steel can be when compared to concrete. My husband insists that our dream house should have three floors so that we have ample space for everything that we have in our respective homes before moving in together. With large structure like that, some quality building materials would surely be needed.

Reply
Mary link
12/17/2021 03:34:54 pm

Hi Alice,

First, please accept my sincere apologies - I monitored comments for a long time and since there were none I sort of just forgot to keep checking in, so I do apologize. It sounds exciting this project of building a home together. I am sure since your post you have either completed it or it is in progress. You would be surprised to learn though that in these days, in home building steel is not widely used or not as much as you would think. If you would like to continue discussing, please feel free to reach out.

Reply
Braden Bills link
7/13/2021 09:17:29 am

I want to get a building made, but I'm not sure what to do about it. It makes sense that I would want to get one made from steel! I can see how that would be really helpful to ensure that it's nice and sturdy.

Reply
Mary link
12/17/2021 03:31:11 pm

Hi Braden,

For so long no one was replying so I was remiss in checking to see if I had any comments so please Sir, accept my sincere apologies. The first thing you want to to when develpping a construction plan is determine what materials would be best suited to the project. Steel is very sturdy but if it is a home, you might be surprised to hear that there is very little steel used. If you would like to continue this dialogue, please feel free to reply.

Reply
Henry Killingsworth link
7/26/2021 02:23:33 pm

I thought it was interesting when you explained that steel is a diverse material. As far as I know, steel is utilized in many industries like marine, automotive, and even in construction. It would be interesting to learn more about the different industries that steel is used in.

Reply
Mary link
12/17/2021 03:38:22 pm

Hi Henry - my apologies for not replying sooner. I was checking for comments for a long time and there were none, so I sort of stopped checking and for that I am so sorry. Steel is an amazing product and is used in so many ways that would boggle the mind. I have seen it used in pharmacies as a solution to storing compunds at extreme temperatures, to tree houses. If you can imagine it, you can build it - thanks for your comments.

Reply
Chance Cook link
8/31/2021 09:05:09 am

I had no idea that steel bridges are lighter than concrete bridges. I'd love to get some steel to build with. But I need to find a supplier first.

Reply
Mary link
12/17/2021 03:43:15 pm

Hi Chance - my sincere apology for the delayed response. I was monitoring the blog for a long time but there had been no comments for so long, I kind of forgot about it which is unacceptable. If you have any questions or if I can assist in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Reply
John Carston link
10/27/2021 11:37:05 pm

I like how you mentioned that steel is the second largest industry in the world after gas and oil. My uncle mentioned to me last night that he is hoping to find a steel supplies services that offer the delivery of the product and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article and I'll be sure to tell him that it will be much better if he consults trusted steel supplies services as they can answer all his inquiries and will surely provide good-quality service.

Reply
Mary link
12/17/2021 03:41:40 pm

Hi John,

Please accept my apologies for the slow response. I was monitoring comments for a long time and there were none. When I went in here recently I was shocked I had replies to prepare. Again, I am so sorry. Spirit is a full service distribution channel, and would be happy to answer and questions your uncle might have. Let me know if there is any questions I can answer. Thanks so much!

Reply
Mia Evans link
5/6/2022 11:51:37 pm

It's interesting to know that steel can be renewable energy since it has been used for about 60 percent back in the days of war which also reduces carbon dioxide generation. With that in mind, this material and other metals as well should be taken to ferrous steel recycling services as much as possible. With the global warming or climate change happening in our world now, it would be great if we can do our part to reduce the harmful gases in our air.

Reply
Millie Hue link
10/6/2022 08:17:36 pm

It's great to know that steel would be renewable in hydro, solar, and wind power, and it has reduced the use of energy by 60 percent back in the second world war. I can imagine how this material would be helpful these days when we need to start becoming more conscious of what the effects are on our world. So I hope that the steel supply we have all around the world is being done in a much proper and environmentally-friendly way.

Reply
Victoria Addington link
1/6/2023 06:26:59 am

I liked how you wrote that steel is widely used in construction and housing projects. My friend needs custom metals for their building. I should advise him to hire an expert in custom metal fabrication to ensure quality work.

Reply
Mary link
1/6/2023 07:39:43 am

Hi Victoria:

Anytime someone needs custom work or fabrication, I encourage you to reach out to me and I would be happy to make some referrals to you. Fab services are not cheap and finding a quality fabricator is essential to any successful project!

Reply



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