Glossary
Alloy steel: A type of steel that is made by adding other elements, such as chromium, nickel, or molybdenum, to improve its properties, such as corrosion resistance or strength.
Annealing: A heat treatment process used to soften steel and improve its ductility.
Blast furnace: A large, vertical furnace used to produce iron from iron ore.
Carbon steel: A type of steel that contains a small amount of carbon, typically less than 2%.
Cast iron: A type of iron that has been melted and poured into a mold to form a specific shape.
Cold rolling: A process used to reduce the thickness of steel by passing it through rollers at a temperature below its recrystallization point.
Continuous casting: A process used to produce steel by continuously pouring molten steel into a water-cooled mold, resulting in a continuous strand of steel.
Deoxidation: The process of removing oxygen from steel during the steelmaking process.
Ductility: The ability of a material to be deformed or stretched without breaking.
Electric arc furnace: A type of furnace that uses an electric arc to melt and refine steel from scrap metal.
Ferrous metals: Metals that contain iron, such as steel and cast iron.
Hot rolling: A process used to shape steel by passing it through rollers at a high temperature, above its recrystallization point.
Ingot: A large, block-shaped piece of metal, typically steel, that has been cast in a mold.
Ladle: A large, funnel-shaped container used to transfer molten metal, such as steel, from one vessel to another.
Melting point: The temperature at which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid.
Mini mill: A small-scale steel mill that produces steel from scrap metal using an electric arc furnace.
Open-hearth furnace: A type of furnace used to produce steel from pig iron, scrap steel, and other raw materials.
Pig iron: A type of iron that is produced in a blast furnace and is not yet refined into steel.
Refining: The process of purifying a metal, such as steel, by removing impurities.
Rolled steel: Steel that has been shaped by passing it through rollers.
Scrap steel: Used or waste steel that is collected and recycled for use in the steelmaking process.
Sheet steel: Thin, flat steel that is used to make products such as car bodies, appliances, and packaging.
Stainless steel: A type of steel that contains a high percentage of chromium and other elements to improve its corrosion resistance.
Steelmaking: The process of producing steel from iron ore, scrap steel, and other raw materials.
Tool steel: A type of steel that is hard, durable, and resistant to wear, used to make tools and machine parts.
Tumble finishing: A process used to smooth and polish the surface of steel by tumbling it in a drum with abrasive media.
Annealing furnace: A type of furnace used to anneal steel.
Blast furnace gas: A byproduct of the ironmaking process, produced by the combustion of coke and other materials in a blast furnace.
Boiler plate: Thick, heavy-duty steel used to manufacture boilers and pressure vessels.
Carbon content: The amount of carbon present in a piece of steel, typically expressed as a percentage.
Cast steel: Steel that has been melted and poured into a mold to form a specific shape.
Cast-in-place concrete: Concrete that is poured and cured in its final location.
Electrolytic refining: A process used to purify metals, such as steel, by using an electric current to dissolve impurities.
Electric steel: Steel that has been produced using an electric arc furnace.
Forging: A process used to shape steel by hammering, pressing, or rolling it while it is hot.
Galvanized steel: Steel that has been coated with a layer of zinc to improve its corrosion resistance.
Hot-dip galvanizing: A process used to coat steel with a layer of zinc by immersing it in a bath of molten zinc.
Inclusion: A non-metallic particle or impurity that is present in steel.
Ladle furnace: A type of furnace used to transfer molten steel from one vessel to another.
Martensitic steel: A type of steel that is hard, strong, and brittle, used to make tools and machine parts.
Metallurgical coke: A type of coke that is used as a fuel and reducing agent in the production of iron and steel.
Non-ferrous metals: Metals that do not contain iron, such as aluminum, copper, and brass.
Reheating furnace: A type of furnace used to heat steel to a specific temperature before it is rolled or forged.
Rolling mill: A machine that is used to shape steel by passing it through rollers.
Slab: A large, rectangular piece of steel that has been rolled or cast in a rolling mill or casting facility.
Specialty steel: A type of steel that has been modified or alloyed for a specific application, such as stainless steel or tool steel.
Structural shape: A type of steel shape, such as a beam, channel, or angle, used in construction to support loads and provide structure.
Tempering: A heat treatment process used to increase the toughness and ductility of steel.
Tinplate: Thin steel that has been coated with a layer of tin, used to make cans and other packaging.
Vanadium steel: A type of steel that contains a small amount of vanadium, which improves its strength and toughness.
Wire rod: A long, thin piece of steel that has been rolled into a round or hexagonal shape, used as a raw material for wire, cable, and other products.
Black steel: Steel that has not been coated or treated with any surface finish.
Blue steel: Steel that has been ground or polished to a high finish and has a blue-gray color
Bright steel: Steel that has been ground or polished to a high finish and has a shiny appearance.
Chrome steel: Steel that contains a small amount of chromium, which improves its corrosion resistance and hardness.
Cold-drawn steel: Steel that has been shaped by drawing it through a die while it is cold.
Cold-finished steel: Steel that has been shaped and finished at room temperature.
Free-cutting steel: Steel that contains a small amount of sulfur or lead, which improves its machinability.
High-carbon steel: Steel that contains a high percentage of carbon, making it strong and hard but also brittle.
Low-carbon steel: Steel that contains a low percentage of carbon, making it more ductile and easier to work with.
Medium-carbon steel: Steel that contains a medium percentage of carbon, balancing strength and ductility.
Nickel steel: Steel that contains a small amount of nickel, which improves its strength and corrosion resistance.
Nitrided steel: Steel that has been treated with nitrogen gas to improve its surface hardness and wear resistance.
Oil-hardening steel: Steel that hardens when it is cooled in oil, used to make tools and machine parts.
Quenched and tempered steel: Steel that has been rapidly cooled and then reheated to improve its strength and toughness.
Stainless steel grade: A classification system for stainless steel based on its chemical composition and properties.
Tool steel grade: A classification system for tool steel based on its chemical composition and properties