Tag: Steel

What is Steel? (And Other Questions)

                Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon containing less than 2% carbon and 1% manganese and small amounts of silicon, phosphorus, Sulphur, and oxygen. Steel is the world’s most important engineering and construction material. It is used in every aspect of our lives; in cars and construction products, refrigerators and washing machines, cargo ships and surgical scalpels.

Steel is produced via two main routes: the blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route and electric arc furnace (EAF) route. Variations and combinations of production routes also exist.

The key difference between the routes is the type of raw materials they consume. For the BF-BOF route, these are predominantly iron ore, coal, and recycled steel, while the EAF route produces steel using mainly recycled steel and electricity. Depending on the plant configuration and availability of recycled steel, other sources of metallic iron such as direct-reduced iron (DRI) or hot metal can also be used in the EAF route.

About 75% of steel is produced using the BF-BOF route. First, iron ores are reduced to iron, also called hot metal or pig iron. Then the iron is converted to steel in the BOF. After casting and rolling, the steel is delivered as a coil, plate, sections or bars.

Steel made in an EAF uses electricity to melt recycled steel. Additives, such as alloys, are used to adjust to the desired chemical composition. Electrical energy can be supplemented with oxygen injected into the EAF. Downstream process stages, such as casting, reheating and rolling, are similar to those found in the BF-BOF route. About 25% of steel is produced via the EAF route.

Another steelmaking technology, the open hearth furnace (OHF), makes up about 0.4% of global steel production. The OHF process is very energy intensive and is in decline owing to its environmental and economic disadvantages. Check out our publication World Steel in Figures for more information.

Most steel products remain in use for decades before they can be recycled. Therefore, there is not enough recycled steel to meet growing demand using the EAF steelmaking method alone. Demand is met through a combined use of the BF-BOF and EAF production methods.

All of these production methods can use recycled steel scrap as an input. Most new steel contains recycled steel.

Steel is not a single product. There are more than 3,500 different grades of steel with many different physical, chemical, and environmental properties.

Approximately 75% of modern steels have been developed over the past 20 years. If the Eiffel Tower were to be rebuilt today, the engineers would only need one-third of the steel that was originally used.

Modern cars are built with new steels that are stronger but up to 35% lighter than in the past.

World crude steel production reached 1,689.4 million tonnes (Mt) for the year 2017. Check out our World Steel in Figures 2018 in our online bookshop for more information.

Smart manufacturing does not just mean having a smart factory.

It is a significant transformation in the way we source raw materials, manufacture, and market our products through horizontal and vertical supply chain integration. It is a profoundly customer-focused concept. This change is not a one-step process as there are obvious challenges of trust and data security to overcome between diverse parties in the supply chain. There are a number of examples of early adopters within the steel industry; especially in vertical integration within business segments where building blocks of smart factories are being put together.

Steel is very friendly to the environment. It is completely recyclable, possesses great durability, and, compared to other materials, requires relatively low amounts of energy to produce. Innovative lightweight steel construction (such as in automobile and rail vehicle construction) help to save energy and resources. The steel industry has made immense efforts to limit environmental pollution in the last decades. Producing one ton of steel today requires just 40% of the energy it did in 1960. Dust emissions have been reduced by even more.

Yes, very easily. Steel’s unique magnetic properties make it an easy material to recover from the waste stream to be recycled. The properties of steel remain unchanged no matter how many times the steel is recycled. The electric arc furnace (EAF) method of steel production can use exclusively recycled steel. Steel is the world’s most recycled material.

For more information on steel recycling, check out our blog titled: Steel – the surprising recycling champion, 19 March 2018.

It is not known who produced the first steel. Since 200 BC, many cultures have produced steel in one form or another. A British inventor, Henry Bessemer, is generally credited with the invention of the first technique to mass produce steel in the mid-1850s. Steel is still produced using technology based on the Bessemer Process of blowing air through molten pig iron to oxidize the material and separate impurities.

Many elements and materials go through chemical reactions with other elements. When steel comes into contact with water and oxygen there is a chemical reaction and the steel begins to revert to its original form – iron oxide.

In most modern steel applications this problem is easily overcome by coating. Many different coating materials can be applied to steel. Paint is used to coat cars and enamel is used on refrigerators and other domestic appliances. In other cases, elements such as nickel and chromium are added to make stainless steel, which can help prevent rust.

 

30’ x 51’ x 8’ Evergreen Metal Building

Are you looking for a reliable metal steel building for your belongings? Something customizable? Perhaps a metal workshop, where you can work on your toys? Let American Steel Carports help you build a long-lasting metal building to meet all your needs and requirements. Whether you’re looking for your next garage or metal workshop, we’re here meet your needs with buildings that can be customized to any size and color.

Here’s an example: this is a 30’W x 51’L x 8’H Metal Workshop. It’s the perfect length to store all your belongings, and it also gives you extra space to park your vehicle inside.

  • 12-Gauge Galvanized Tubing
  • A-Frame Vertical Roof
  • Horizontal Sides & Ends
  • 2 – 10′ x 8′ Roll-Up Doors
  • Walk-In Door
  • L-Brackets

Our customer decided to make the whole building evergreen. This metal workshop features a vertical roof, two (2) 10’x8’ roll-up doors, one (1) walk-in door, and L-brackets. Because of the length of this unit, we highly recommend this vertical roof style, in order to avoid any leaks in the future.

Does this building inspire you? Can you already imagine how you’d use it? Contact us today at 866-730-9865 and let one of our experts assist you with pricing details and installation information. We will help you customize the BEST metal building that will meet your needs and stay within your budget. Don’t forget to ask about our financing options available.

Benefits of a Metal Pool Cover

Keep dirt and debris out of the pool.

When the leaves, nuts, etc. start falling, the pool becomes a pain to clean. A metal pool cover will keep your filter from taking in debris, therefore reducing operational costs and wear-and-tear on your pool filtration systems. Cutting down on your pool maintenance by simply keeping your pool covered will also be a huge benefit. Our metal pool cover is all you need to protect your pool year-round.

You don’t have to bother with multiple covers that are inconvenient, unsafe, or simply ineffective. Our cover is the easiest to use, with no manual labor needed to put it up or away. We build it where you want it, and you’re covered for many years to come.

By reducing evaporation, your pool cover conserves water and reduces the use of chemicals, saving you up to 70% on operating costs. With the heat kept in and dirt and debris kept out, your pool equipment will also last much longer. Our pool covers not only keep your pool cleaner, but they also reduce your maintenance costs.

Water Conservation

We found that an uncovered mid-sized pool can lose as much as 180 gallons of water a week to evaporation, taking expensive chemicals with it. American Steel’s metal pool cover will help conserve hundreds of millions of gallons of pool water each year, benefitting our most precious resource while saving money.

The average non-metal pool cover only lasts for 3 to 5 years, while a metal cover will last upwards of 10 years.

Installing a completely automatic solar cover can cost $1,000-$2,000 and more.

36’W x 131’L x 11’+14’H Warehouse

Did you know you can make a warehouse out of a steel building?

In general, all of our metal buildings come with an extensive number of features that will allow you to customize and enhance your unit to meet nothing but your needs. This applies to each of our metal buildings, no matter the size – and with 20 years in business, we know exactly how to deliver a great experience for our customers.

Because steel does not twist, bend, buckle, or warp, its flexibility allows it to be fully modified and customized, giving us the advantage and allowing easy installation. That’s why most companies prefer to get steel buildings for their warehouses. Steel is cost effective and, most importantly, it requires less maintenance than other building materials. Steel also offers safety and resistance to natural elements and weather damage. See why steel is one of the top choices for many companies when it comes to warehouses? Not only that, but keep in mind that you’ll get the exact same benefits and features when you purchase a steel garage, steel shed, or even a steel barn!

So today, we want to introduce this magnificent 36’W x 131’L x 11’+14’H:

  • 12-Guage Galvanized Tubing
  • Fully Vertical
  • 4 – 10’x10′ Roll-Up Doors
  • 2 – 14’x14′ Roll-Up Doors
  • 7 – 48″x84″ Heavy Duty Doors
  • 11- Windows
  • 9 – Frame Outs
  • 14 – Skylights

Now you’re hanging with the big boys! Can you picture what you could do with this huge steel warehouse? Would you customize it in the same way? Or what would you make changes to this design? Feel free to login with your Facebook account to interact with us!

You might be wondering, what is the cost of this warehouse? No worries – give us a call today at (866) 730-9865 to speak with one of our representatives. Remember that you can customize the size of this steel unit according to your needs!

*Disclaimer: Plans and calcs will be needed to obtain a permit. Freight fee will be applied.*

30’ x 31’ x 10’ Winter-Ready Garage

How ready are you for this winter? Are your toys safe and protected? Is your livestock protected as well? How about your vehicles? Props to you if you’ve already acquired your metal shed for this winter or your metal barn for your livestock.

Depending on the area where you live, there might still be some chance for you to place your order before our cut-off dates. To see all of our cut-off dates, click here.

If you’re not really sure what type of metal building you might need, feel free to contact us regarding your questions and concerns. Please keep in mind that we can work with any special measurements you might need, but it’s best if you have an idea of the measurements, especially if you want a metal garage or RV cover. An example of one of our top-selling units is the triple wide. This 30’W x 31’L x 10’H unit is a great example of a metal building that can be used as a garage or a personal workshop.

SPECS:

  • A-Frame Vertical Roof
  • Horizontal Sides & Ends
  • 10′ x 10′ Roll-Up Door
  • 36″ x 80″ Walk-In Door
  • Window

 

This customer wanted to have his building installed on a concrete pad. Now, remember that buildings like this can also be installed on regular ground or asphalt, as long as your land is leveled. Want to know the price of this metal building? Give us a call today at (866) 730-9865 to speak with one of our experts and get a custom quote. Remember that you can change the size, color, and features included in this metal building.

There are endless ways to customize your metal building, and everything can get started with a call! Contact us today and ask to speak with a sales representative. Don’t forget to ask about our financing options or Rent-to-Own.

37’ x 31’ x 14’/12’3” Custom Metal Unit

Throughout the year, we’ve been talking about and posting on metal units, most of them pretty standard and nothing out of the ordinary. You will always see our typical carports, RV covers, and metal garages up to 3 bays—that is, the basics. And if we want to throw in some other units, we can show off our barns, which are similar to the main custom units due to the lean-tos. Overall, there are plenty of choices that you can add to your metal building to customize it however you want.

Now, you might be wondering, what about the pricing on a custom unit? Well, the price will depend on the number of features you want to add and how big you want your metal building to be. Remember that wider units tend to run higher, as do units taller than 12’. Let us tease you a little bit: especially when we refer to “custom” metal buildings, this might not be something that you see frequently in our website or on social media.

  • (Main Unit) 30’W x 31’L x 14’H
  • 12-Gauge Galvanized Tubing
  • Fully Vertical
  • 18’x10′ Roll-Up Door (on the side)
  • 38″x82.5″ Frame-Out
  • 2 – Windows
  • (Lean-To) 7’W x 31’L x 14’/12’3″H
  • Gable Ends

A very interesting building, huh? Is this something you’ve seen before in a metal building? If we’re being honest, this is one of the first times we’ve seen something like this. But the outcome of this project turned out to be beautiful!

So, this is just a little preview of what it is possible to do when you choose American Steel Carports as your metal building provider. There are endless ways for you to start working on your custom project. All we need from you is to help us visualize your project by getting started on a FREE custom quote. Remember that we want to work with your special needs and specifications; we will make sure to meet your expectations and help you in the process of purchasing the metal unit of your dreams. Please note that, due to the customization of this metal building, it’s best for us if you give us a call!

Let’s get you started! Call us now at (866) 730-9865 to speak with one of our experts.

 

*DISCLAIMER: Pricing varies by state. Local codes and regulations may affect pricing.

Steel Buildings: What Makes Our Buildings Unique?

One of our main focus areas is the shape and condition that a building’s structure retains throughout the years. Take an old wooden barn, for example: The first thing that will jump out at you is its level of durability. We can assure you that it probably won’t look as sturdy as it did when it was first built, no matter how good it looked then. You might be thinking, “I bet they used cheap material and it will collapse at any moment.” This sad situation happens quite often with a range of building materials used today. However, there’s always a solution for everything. In this case, it’s a steel building.

Many materials can offer you a high-quality building, but how can you be so sure about their workmanship and durability? We’re going to break it down for you based on nothing but facts about steel buildings.

Steel buildings offer one of the most durable and versatile solutions tailored to your specific needs. We’ve engineered our steel buildings to withstand harsh conditions and protect your belongings from the outdoors. They come in a residential style, and they can increase the value of your property just from the added protection they provide!

Durability and Versatility

All of our metal buildings come with a one-year workmanship warranty, and when you decide to upgrade to our 12-gauge galvanized tubing, we will throw in our 20-year limited warranty on rust-through of the framing. Plus, the shape of all our buildings can be modified to create a unique design. Whether you’re looking for a simple carport, a metal barn, a garage, or even your own workshop, we will make sure to satisfy all of your needs. Ranging from 10’ to 80’ wide, up to 20’ in height, and with no limit on length, there’s a wide variety of sizes to fit any needs.

Engineer-Designed

Our steel buildings are built with the strongest metals and are engineer-designed to withstand any type of inclement weather that nature might throw at them. Live in a windy city? Fear not—we offer a 90-mph wind warranty package for those windy areas, and we can certify your metal buildings for higher winds if you want.

What about constant snow?

Most of our buildings are certified for 30 lbs. psf ground, but don’t think we can’t build them to handle heavier snow loads. Our engineers can certify your unit for higher snow loads as well!

Styles

Your metal building will depend highly on your roof style. We offer 3 different roof styles (click here to learn more). You can give your steel building a unique touch, too, with 13 different colors to choose from at no additional price.

Whatever your building needs, a steel building can fulfill them. When you opt for a metal building, you’ll know you have found a budget-friendly solution to all your building needs—one that will last a lifetime without issues. For more information about construction and materials, contact us.

Get Yourself Started with a Free Quote

If you’re looking for an affordable, sturdy, and durable solution to the problem of your vehicles sitting outside your garage, your belongings lying exposed to the weather, or your farm equipment and heavy machinery being covered in rain or snow, you probably already know that it isn’t cheap to replace them, or even to get them fixed. Why not invest in a metal structure that will keep all your property safe from the elements, that will stand strong against the wind and snow, all for an affordable price? That’s what American Steel Carports is here for: to change the game when it comes to protecting your valuables.

In a project of any size, sticking to the budget is key to not overspending. Lucky for you, when you work with steel buildings, you have the advantage of using the most cost-effective building materials and methods available. These metal buildings are ideal for residential properties and are easily customized to fit to any property size and needs.

Take a look at this 22′W × 31′L × 8′H building.

  • A-Frame Vertical Roof
  • 14-Guage Galvanized Tubing
  • (2) 9’x7′ Roll-Up Doors
  • Walk-In Door
  • Window
  • 6’x7′ Roll-Up Door (side)

All our metal buildings are custom made. In this case, our customer wanted a metal garage strong enough to provide protection for their vehicles.

If you’re looking for something similar, or maybe something bigger, you can definitely get started by calling today to speak with one of our sales representatives for a FREE quote! We will work with you until we find the perfect metal building for your needs. And we can always provide a free sketch along with your quote to help you visualize your project to the fullest. Don’t forget to ask about our financing options. We are now offering rent-to-own in all our service areas.

Getting rid of Your Stuff can be Hard. We can Help.

There are many reasons you could need storage, but one you may not have thought about is how clutter affects our lives. I recently read a report on how too much clutter can cause stress and anxiety, can create feelings of guilt (“I should start being more organized”) and can also lead one to feel embarrassed, especially when others drop by our homes or workspaces unexpectedly. As a psychologist and expert on the subject, Sherrie Bourg Carter explains in Psychology Today, “Messy homes and workspaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed. Yet, rarely is clutter recognized as a significant source of stress in our lives.”

Downsizing is another reason people would need storage. There is a national trend of people leaving larger houses for much smaller and more economic ones. The reasons vary, but most say they want to cash out equity to fund retirement, cut living costs with a smaller residence, or even move to a new location, possibly a rental.

According to HousingWire.com: “In fact, three out of four Baby Boomers answered they would downsize their home to lower ongoing costs and for the benefit from the equity. Another 67% said they would be willing to move to a less expensive location.”

So where does everything go when you don’t want to throw it away?

Are your kids leaving the house? Every year, 20 million kids enrolled in college, with a large amount of them leaving home. Therein lies the issue. We spend a long time creating and collecting memories, and it can be hard to just discard of these items when the kids leave home.

With American Steel, you don’t have to. American Steel makes buildings that are Strong, Versatile, and Built to Last.

Get the peace of mind, make your life less complicated, or secure those memories that mean so much. Give us a call at (866) 730-9865 or check us out online at americansteeleinc.com.