Metal: metal has derived from the Greek word métallon, which means metal, mine, quarry. In the form of ore deposits, metals are naturally occurring compounds of the earth's crust that are linked to numerous other components and one another. Secondly, they exist in nature in dust from the atmosphere and in the rocks that have already been washed by groundwater and river bodies. Metal can be either a naturally occurring element, an alloy, or a complex mixture of chemicals.
Metal is used to construct various objects since it is robust and long-lasting. These are employed in producing vehicles, kitchenware, farming, etc.
Alloy: Alloys are created by the combination of two or more metals. It can also be formed by mixing metal and non-metal.
Types of metal:
Although there are various types of metal on the basis of the presence of iron content as alloys, ferrous, and non-ferrous. Here is one such metal:
Steel: Commonly composed of 99 percentage of iron and 1 percent carbon, it is a ferrous alloy. As a result, steel is less brittle and pliable.
Most steel can retain the iron's strength while being lighter, denser, and less corrosive because of the 1 percent carbon content in the alloy. As a result, steel is used in everyday life in whichever possible way.
Types of Steels:
- Carbon steel: made of carbon and iron
- Stainless Steel: chromium is added to carbon and iron combination
- Alloy steel: Any steel changed by including a different element in carbon and iron combination is called alloyed steel.
What is Alloy Steel?
Steel is alloyed with many elements in total quantities ranging from 1.0 percent to 50 percent by weight to enhance its mechanical qualities. Metals used for enhancement of properties of the alloys are vanadium, magnesium, chromium, etc.
Morphologies and heat-treatment properties can modify the steel’s properties for better usage.
Two kinds of alloy steels are present:
- Low alloy steel: it contains lesser than 8 percent metal
- High alloy steel: the metal content is higher than 8 percent.
Properties that are improvised
- Corrosion resistance
- carbide synthesis
- strength and toughness
- hardness
- abrasion resistance.
Uses of Alloy Steel
- Some automobiles parts are made of alloy steel such as axles, gears, crankshafts, etc.
- Many types of machinery used in food processing units use alloys of steel.
- Making of military weapons
- Utensils are even made of this material
- Thousands of products are produced with this, like pipes, sheets, tubes, etc.
- Even coins and hardware tools use alloyed steel for production.
Applications
- Application in building structures: In skeleton frames, alloy steel is utilized to build sports arenas, tall buildings, runways, and bridges. Alloy steel has enough durability to sustain the architecture. Concrete constructions are reinforced with alloy steel to increase resilience and lighten the structure.
- Pipeline products: Alloy steel pipes are fitted without any thermal processing and have a high level of longevity. Seamless and welded pipes are made of this type of steel. Shalco Industries Private Limited is known for producing high-quality seamless and welded pipes and tubes made of steel and nickel alloys. Aside from high-pressure settings, they are incredibly beneficial for elevated heat or corroding operations.
- Bearing products: carrying heavy material is done by ball bearings made of alloy steel.
- Railway tracks: long and strong production of tracks is done with alloyed steel.
- Coil products: steel frames and side railings
Shalco Industries Private Limited was established 22 years back in Mumbai. Shalco Industries is a producer and exporter of steel materials in India and internationally. They also serve in the oil and gas industries.
The price of such types of steel in India costs around 90 thousand to 4 lakh per metric tonne.