Processing of Waste Steel
Waste steel (or scrap iron) is an important reuse material in many industries. The processing of waste steel requires an important industrial process in which old, worn out iron is recycled and reprocessed into new products. This process is beneficial to both the environment and the economy, as it eliminates the need for additional production of steel from natural resources.
The key to the waste steel processing is separating the old steel from other materials like wood, yarn, or glass. This is done in a series of steps that involve crushing, shearing, sorting, and smelting. The crushed waste steel is then sorted and grouped into various sizes, shapes, and grades, depending on its intended reuse purpose. After sorting is complete, the waste steel must be melted down at extremely high temperatures — usually from 1,700 to 2,700° Fahrenheit (927 to 1,482° Celsius) — to break down the molecular bonds of the metal and render it into a new shape or form.
Once the waste steel is properly melted down and heated, it is then cast into the shape specified by the consumer. This generally includes shapes such as sheets, rods, bars, and wire. The next step requires the steel to be cooled in a cooling chamber in order to strengthen and harden the steel. After this step is completed, the newly formed steel is checked to ensure that it meets specific manufacturing standards, and is ready for further processing and use.
The reprocessed steel is then used in a variety of ways, depending upon its grade and the industry in which it will be used. Some of the most common uses include components for construction machines, bridges, automobiles, frames, containers, pipes, and wires. Furthermore, reprocessed steel is also often used in the manufacturing of various products such as kitchen utensils, gardening tools, furniture, and appliances.
As a result of the implementation of waste steel processing, it has helped to decrease the depletion of natural resources and aided in the improvement of the environment. Furthermore, it has minimized the need to create large amounts of steel from the ground, which in turn has helped to reduce air and water pollution. Additionally, waste steel processing creates jobs, helping to improve the economy, while also providing a fuel source that doesn’t need to be extracted from the Earth. All in all, waste steel processing is an important industrial process that not only helps to preserve the environment, but also aids in the sustainability of the economy.
