Raw Steel

What is raw steel?
Raw steel is a steel product that is a primary form of steel. It usually refers to steel that has been initially smelted and not yet processed. Raw steel is generally smelted at high temperatures and formed once during the manufacturing process, but its performance and quality are different from finished steel products such as processed stainless steel or carbon steel. Raw steel is usually used for further processing into various steel products.

Is raw steel the same as stainless steel?
Raw steel is not the same as stainless steel. Stainless steel is made by adding alloy elements such as chromium and nickel to ordinary steel to give it strong corrosion resistance and a bright surface. This alloy component enables stainless steel to maintain oxidation resistance in humid or corrosive environments and is not easy to rust. Raw steel does not have these alloy components, so its oxidation resistance and rust resistance are weaker. In terms of composition, raw steel usually contains a higher carbon content, while stainless steel is a further refined product based on the alloy composition.

What are the raw materials of steel?
The main raw materials of steel are iron ore and a small amount of carbon, as well as other alloy elements. Iron ore is reduced at high temperature to form iron, and an appropriate amount of carbon is added to increase hardness. After that, it is refined, alloying elements are added, and other different smelting processes are used to produce steel products with different properties. The added alloying elements usually include nickel, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, etc., which can improve the corrosion resistance, strength or hardness of steel and give it specific functions.

Will raw steel rust?

Raw steel will rust because it has not been specially treated with rust prevention and does not have the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Raw steel is easily oxidized in a humid or oxidizing environment, thereby generating iron oxide (commonly known as "rust"). The general method to prevent raw steel from rusting is coating protection, galvanizing or further refining during processing, or other rust prevention measures.

What are the types of steel?

There are many types of steel, which can be mainly divided into the following categories:

Carbon steel: It has a high carbon content and is divided into low carbon steel, medium carbon steel and high carbon steel. The hardness and strength of carbon steel increase with the increase of carbon content, but the toughness also decreases relatively.

Stainless steel: contains alloy elements such as chromium and nickel, has good corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance, is not easy to rust, and is widely used in kitchen utensils, medical equipment and other fields.

Alloy steel: Add different alloy elements (such as manganese, titanium, vanadium) to improve certain properties, such as strength, hardness or wear resistance.

Tool steel: contains a variety of alloy elements, has high hardness and wear resistance, and is mainly used to make tools such as knives and molds.

Special steel: such as heat-resistant steel, weathering steel, etc., which optimizes specific performance for special application scenarios.

Is stainless steel a raw material?
Stainless steel is not a raw material, but a finished steel that has been processed and refined. It is composed of iron, carbon and a certain proportion of alloy elements such as chromium and nickel, and is made through specific smelting and processing processes. Stainless steel is a finished material used to manufacture various daily necessities, building materials, industrial equipment, etc.

What is the difference between iron and steel ore?
Iron ore is the mineral form of iron. It is a natural mineral collected from the earth's crust. Iron can be extracted after smelting. The main component of iron ore is iron oxide, and it also contains impurities such as silicon, sulfur, and phosphorus. After reduction treatment at high temperature, pig iron is generated, and then steel is made through steps such as impurity removal and carbon content adjustment.

There are many measures to prevent raw steel from rusting. By reducing the contact between the steel surface and air and moisture, the oxidation reaction is inhibited. The following are several common anti-rust methods:

1. Surface coating protection

Oiling: Apply a layer of grease on the surface of raw steel to isolate air and moisture. This method is simple and effective, and is suitable for some temporarily stored steel.

Painting: Apply a layer of paint on the surface of raw steel, which can not only prevent oxidation, but also play a certain decorative role. The painting method is suitable for construction steel.

Spraying plastic coating: It can form a strong protective film that effectively blocks the contact of moisture and oxygen, and is suitable for outdoor steel.

2. Plating treatment

Galvanizing: A layer of zinc is plated on the surface of raw steel. Zinc has good antioxidant ability. Galvanized steel is widely used in construction, automobile manufacturing and other fields.
Chrome or nickel plating: Electroplating a layer of chrome or nickel on the surface of steel to increase its rust resistance and make the surface smoother and more beautiful. This method is often used for decorative or corrosion-resistant steel.
Hot-dip galvanizing: The zinc and steel surface are combined at high temperature. This method is thicker and more durable than general electroplating.
3. Chemical treatment
Phosphating: A phosphate protective film is formed on the steel surface through chemical reaction, which can improve corrosion resistance. Commonly used for rust prevention of electrical appliances and automotive parts.
Oxidation treatment: Also known as "blackening treatment" or "blueing treatment", a layer of oxide film is formed on the surface of steel by chemical methods. This film can provide a certain degree of rust resistance.
4. Electrochemical protection
Cathodic protection: By installing a sacrificial anode (metal zinc, magnesium, etc.) near the steel, the steel is used as a cathode to prevent corrosion. This method is widely used in marine engineering and underground pipelines.
Impressed current protection: Connect the current to the steel structure to make it a cathode to prevent corrosion. This method is suitable for rust protection of large metal structures or pipelines.
5. Physical isolation
Packaging isolation: For steel in storage, moisture-proof packaging film or sealed packaging bags can be used to isolate the steel from the air to avoid oxidation caused by moisture.
Use rust inhibitor: During storage or transportation, use a special rust inhibitor to spray on the surface of the steel to form a protective layer. This method is suitable for steel that needs to be stored or transported for a long time.
6. Environmental control
Dry storage environment: Store the steel in a dry, temperature-controlled warehouse to avoid a humid environment and effectively delay the oxidation process.
Dehumidifier and ventilation equipment: Install a dehumidifier and ventilation system in the warehouse to maintain appropriate humidity and air circulation to reduce the risk of rust on the steel.
7. Alloying treatment
Adding alloy elements: Adding appropriate amounts of chromium, nickel and other elements during the production process makes the steel itself have corrosion resistance, similar to the composition of stainless steel, but this method is rarely used for rust prevention of raw steel
Steel is an alloy material refined by adding carbon and other alloying elements on the basis of iron. The performance of steel is better than that of pure iron and is widely used in industries such as construction, machinery manufacturing, and electronic equipment. Therefore, iron ore is one of the raw materials for steel, and steel is an industrial material processed through multiple processes.

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