Mechanical Structure Steel
Mechanical structure steel is a low alloy, low carbon steel with remarkable ductility and moderate strength. It is used in many areas of industrial and engineering construction, providing components that resist wear, abrasions and corrosive materials used in a variety of applications.
Mechanical structure steel are used in parts of many structures. Examples include bridges, frame-built buildings, trains and other structures that need to withstand the stresses put upon them by their environment. This type of steel is also often used to make ladder support structures, cladding and protective coating.
Mechanical structure steel is most commonly welded when constructing these structures. It’s malleable nature means that it can be easily formed into cross-sections and shapes, providing strength and stability. However, it is also malleable enough to allow for easy reshaping too.
The sensitivity of mechanical structure steel to heat and elements in the environment means that the right treatment of the material is essential in order to obtain the desired qualities. The most common process is known as ‘heat-treating’ and involves careful selection of the components to be welded together and then subjecting the steel to carefully controlled temperatures and conditions to create the desired characteristics.
Heat-treating can also be used to change the temper of the steel, to increase or reduce its hardness or strength. Heat-treating can either be done annealing or quenching. In annealing, the steel is heated and then cooled slowly, allowing it to form a more crystalline structure. Quenching on the other hand is a process where the steel is rapidly cooled, creating a much harder surface.
Mechanical structure steel is also often coated in a protective sealant to prevent corrosion, increase durability and give a more attractive finish. This can be done through galvanization, where a layer of zinc and other metals is applied, or with a coating of epoxy or other plasticised coating. The process for sealing mechanical structure steel can be difficult as the coating must still be able to bear and move with the stresses put upon it by the structure.
Mechanical structure steel is used in almost all areas of engineering, with most cases falling into the two main categories of static structure steel and dynamic structure steel. Static structure steel is typically used in construction of bridges and buildings, while dynamic structure steel is typically used in the construction of vehicles, such as trains and automobile frames.
There are many benefits when using mechanical structure steel, the most common being a higher strength-to-weight ratio, improved wear performance and greater impact resistance. Their malleable nature also allows for shapes to be changed easily and quickly. This makes them the ideal choice for many engineering applications.
It is important to ensure that the right type of mechanical structure steel is chosen to enable the desired performance and strength levels. As well as the metal specification, mechanical structure steel also needs to be carefully heat-treated as part of the fabrication process, to ensure that it obtains the desired qualities of strength, hardness and flexibility.
