Requirements for Quality of Steel from Refining
Steel production has a long history. It is one of the most useful and important materials in the world. Steel is used in almost any realm of industry, from simple tools to the most advanced machinery. Steel is also used on a large scale in architecture and infrastructure. Due to its immense usage, it is important to ensure that steel produced from refining meets high, quality standards.
The quality of a steel product is judged according to several criteria. The most common and relevant criteria for steel produced from refining include composition, strength, hardness, and ductility. All steel products should fit into a certain range with respect to these properties, regardless of the process used to produce them.
The most important criterion when gauging the quality of a steel product is its composition. All steel products should contain between 0.2-2.1% carbon, as well as other elements like manganese, silicon, and to a lesser extent, phosphorus, sulfur, and chromium. The presence of these elements helps to increase the strength and hardness of the steel.
The strength and hardness of the steel produced from refining should also be appropriate. The tensile strength should fall between 360-660 MPa, the yield strength should fall between 290-590 MPa and the hardness should be between 35-65 HRC. These values indicate that the steel should be strong and durable, capable of withstanding heavy loads and wear and tear.
Alongside strength and hardness, steel produced from refining should also be ductile. Ductility is a measure of the steel’s ability to be bent, stretched, and twisted without breaking. Steel with a high level of ductility is preferred, as it makes the steel less brittle and more resistant to cracking. The percentage of elongation should fall between 18-40%, and the reduction of area should fall between 35-90%.
In order to ensure a safe and reliable product, steel produced from refining needs to meet all these criteria. The composition of the steel needs to contain an appropriate level of carbon, along with other elements, which will contribute to its strength and hardness. The strength, hardness, and ductility of the steel should fall within acceptable ranges, so that it can be used in challenging, structural projects. If the steel does not meet these requirements, it should not be used.
