Many of the items in your day-to-day life depend on the steel industry. Iron is the primary raw material used in steel production, and 98% of its global demand is driven by the steel production industry. From the vast recycling power of steel to the ability to create steel buildings, there are many fascinating facts about steel buildings. Keep reading to learn more about 9 interesting facts about the steel industry.
1. The steel industry creates jobs
The steel industry directly employs more than 2 million people worldwide, and further employs 2 million contractors and 4 million in supporting industries.
2. Steel is used in electronics production
An average computer is comprised of approximately 25% steel, and it’s used in the creation of many other electronic components. Because of its strength and heat-resistance, steel is a logical choice for electronics production.
3. The steel industry is evolving over time
Since the early 1980’s, steel productivity has more than tripled. This is largely due to the development of new technologies, new manufacturing practices, and advances in chemical engineering.
4. Steel can contribute to eco-friendly initiatives
Steel is the primary material used in the renewable energy sector (wind, solar and tidal). These eco-friendly initiatives are made more efficient with the strength and versatility of steel materials.
5. Steel is extremely easy to recycle
Steel can be recycled infinitely without losing its strength, meaning it’s an eco-friendly material that can be used over and over again. Of course, it takes energy to melt steel down, but it’s better than using plastic.
6. Steel buildings can be used for a number of purposes
People use steel buildings as garages, storage units, barns, and for other purposes. These temporary buildings are easy to assemble and are typically used for outdoor storage without insulation.
7. Steel is more efficient in the home-building industry
Steel is commonly used to frame houses and other kinds of buildings. Typically, homes are framed using wood, but steel is another great choice when it comes to efficiency and eco-friendliness. Studies show a wooden home requires more than 40 trees worth of wood, whereas it only takes approximately 4 recycled cars to construct a 2000 sq. ft. house. The construction industry is making good use of steel.
8. Steel is incredibly strong
Steel is around 1000 times stronger than iron in its pure form. This is because of the way the atoms and molecules hang together in strong structures that are hard to bend. Because of this, steel is often used in high-strength, high-stress situations to support a large load.
9. Steel melts at extremely high temperatures
Steel becomes soft at 538°C (1,000°F), which is way below the burning temperature of jet fuel. However, some conspiracy theorists have popularized the phrase “jet fuel can’t melt steel beams” in reference to the 9/11 tragedy. The fact remains that steel becomes soft at 538°C, which is lower than the burning temperature of jet fuel.
