Tool Steel: Steel that Gets Things Done
What is tool steel? Tool steels are exceptionally hard, tough, or wear-resistant alloys. Their properties come from both their chemistry and their production. As their name intimates, these steels are ready to work cutting, grinding, drilling, punching, striking, or doing other tough jobs. Tool steels must have the right material
Powder Coating Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has a natural silver luster and resistance to corrosion. These qualities are what usually recommend the alloy compared to regular steel. For most customers it makes very little sense to cover the stainless in a powder coat or other finish. However, customers occasionally choose a colorful finish on
How is Steel Made?
According to the World Steel Association, 1869.9 million tons of steel were produced in 2019. This represents a 3.4% increase in output from 2018 and is more than double the output in 1999. The world has an ever growing need for steel. It’s used in construction, industry, and manufacturing. Being
What is Machining?
Making objects out of metal involves many manufacturing processes. One of these is machining, a necessary requirement of mass manufacture in the modern age. Machine tools cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape metal by removing some of it with a cutting or grinding surface. Usually, a machine tool has two
What is a Foundry?
Foundries are responsible for our current standard of living and industrial development, but most of us know next to nothing about them. So what is a foundry? Foundry Definition In simplified terms, a foundry is a factory where castings are produced by melting metal, pouring
Ductile Iron
Ductile iron – also referred to as spheroidal or nodular iron – is actually a group of irons that exhibit high strength, flexibility, durability and elasticity due to their unique microstructure. Cast ductile iron normally contains over 3 percent carbon; it can be bent, twisted or deformed without fracturing.
How to Convert ASTM Steel Grades
When manufacturing overseas, North American designers might need to navigate differences in spoken language. Engineering specification is also a language, and standard specifications for material and processes are defined differently in each country in the world. To a new designer, steel grades might seem easy, where 316 stainless steel is
Is Carbon Steel Better than Mild Steel?
Is carbon steel better than mild steel? Trick question! Mild steel is a type of carbon steel. The element carbon is present in all steel. Whenever this carbon is the main alloying element, the alloy is considered a carbon steel. “Low-carbon” steel is another name for mild steel. There are
Cast Steel Production: Properties and Composition
Cast steel is a ferrous alloy with a maximum carbon content of approximately 0.75%. Steel castings are solid metal objects produced by filling the void within a mold with liquid steel. They are available in many of the same carbon and alloy steels that can be produced as wrought metals.
Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals
Any solid metal that can be melted can be cast. Foundries are the factories that do this casting work, developing expertise with a handful of metals and methods, and designing standard products to maximize value and efficiency in production. Metals and casting methods influence each