Materials - Steel

• Construction Principles
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Metals

Unit 1: Construction Principles

Name as many metals
as you can

Ferrous vs Non-Ferrous

The simple answer is that ferrous metals contain iron and non-ferrous metals do not.

Ferrous

Non-Ferrous

Stainless Steel

Cast Iron

Aluminium

Ductile Iron

Copper

Mild Steel

Tin

Lead

STEEL

Steel is used in structural applications where high tensile, compressive and/or bending strength is required. 

Skyscrapers use steel frameworks to support their enormous weight, and the open framework of struts and ties visible in the structure of electricity pylons relies on the high strength of steel to provide support for electricity cables.

Embedded steel bars improve the otherwise poor tensile strength of concrete in reinforced concrete structures. 

In addition, countless steel screws, nails and fixings hold together the fabric of all types of buildings.

Types of steel

• Mild Steel
• Stainless Steel
• High Strength (or Carbon) Steel 

Which of these best describes mild steel?

1. a form of plain carbon steel containing iron alloyed with between 0.15 and 0.35% carbon. Most structural steels fall into this category.
2. Steels with carbon content of between 0.30% and 1.7% . Tend to be brittle with little or no plastic deformation to warn of overloading prior to failure.
3. alloyed with chromium and nickel to significantly increase resistance to corrosion.
4. contains 2–4% carbon and other alloys, and 1–3% of silicon, which improves the casting performance of the molten metal. Is strong but brittle.

Which of these best describes stainless steel?

1. a form of plain carbon steel containing iron alloyed with between 0.15 and 0.35% carbon. Most structural steels fall into this category.
2. Steels with carbon content of between 0.30% and 1.7% . Tend to be brittle with little or no plastic deformation to warn of overloading prior to failure.
3. alloyed with chromium and nickel to significantly increase resistance to corrosion.
4. contains 2–4% carbon and other alloys, and 1–3% of silicon, which improves the casting performance of the molten metal. Is strong but brittle.

Which of these best describes high strength (or carbon) steel?

1. a form of plain carbon steel containing iron alloyed with between 0.15 and 0.35% carbon. Most structural steels fall into this category.
2. Steels with carbon content of between 0.30% and 1.7% . Tend to be brittle with little or no plastic deformation to warn of overloading prior to failure.
3. alloyed with chromium and nickel to significantly increase resistance to corrosion.
4. contains 2–4% carbon and other alloys, and 1–3% of silicon, which improves the casting performance of the molten metal. Is strong but brittle.

How is steel produced?

02:08

What raw materials are required to make steel?

Limestone

Shale

Coke

Iron Ore

Sulphur

03:40

What is the chemical formula of Iron Ore?

05:43

What is the name given to the surface floating liquid that combines the limestone with the impurities?

07:48

What does BOS stand for?

09:54

What is missing from this Electric Arc Furnace?

14:50

What shape would simultaneous vertical and horizontal rollers produce on a mill stand?

1. Sheets suitable for panelling
2. Hollow pipes
3. I-sections
4. Steel wire

15:31

Cold rolling allows for thinner, flatter steel sheets to be produced over hot rolling. What's the minimum thickness that can be achieved with cold rolling?
(in mm, numbers and decimal points only)

18:04

In 2020, on average, every tonne of steel produced led to the emission of 1.9 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
In 2020, 1.9 billion tonnes of steel were produced, and total direct emissions from this sector were of the order of 2.6 billion tonnes; of which around half can be attributed directly to buildings and construction.

What percentage of the global anthropogenic CO2 emissions does this 2.6 billion tonnes equate to?

1. 1-3%
2. 3-5%
3. 5-7%
4. 7-9%

How can we reduce the embodied carbon when constructing new buildings?

Reduce primary material demand through optimised design

Reuse of

scrap material 

Use low-carbon alternative materials such as timber

using locally sourced materials where possible

Decarbonising materials production with renewable energy and maximising the use of waste heat

 Consider the use of precast concrete, 3D printing, prefabrication, BIM and modularity of buildings which may enable using fewer

materials and reducing waste

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