Steel currently plays a fundamental role in the construction industry, as it is a highly demanded material in various industrial projects. Structural steel is used to construct bridges, buildings, industrial complexes, recreation centers, and others. Structural steel is mainly composed of an alloy of iron and carbon, and the latter component is responsible for giving it more significant or lesser resistance. Next, we will know the main characteristics of structural steel:
Ductility
When we talk about the ductility of structural steel, we refer to its ability to withstand large deformations without breaking or compromising its structure. The ductility of structural steel depends on the amount of carbon present in the alloy; for more excellent ductility, the design must have very little carbon presence (since it is the component that can make it brittle). It should be noted that when a work (that uses structural steel) is close to collapse, users will be able to see a deformation or crack in said structure.
Compatibility in joining or welding processes
Structural steel, unlike other steels, is a material that can become lighter, and therefore, generate fewer costs when handling it on a construction site, since it is an accessible material to work within various projects, especially when it is necessary to give it some kind of shape, make connections between the pieces or elaborate a specific structure; this is since said material is compatible with different methods of joining between components: either by welding or by screws.
Resistance to corrosion and wear
Structural steel is a material characterized by being resistant to corrosion and wear, being a material that owes its high efficiency and durability to its mechanical properties. As we mentioned in the previous section, it is a lighter and stronger material than other steels; a point in favor is that structural steel maintains its mechanical properties stable over time, which is very useful in a chain of certified production.
In addition to maintaining its mechanical properties, structural steel is also a very resistant material to corrosion and wear (which can occur over time), which allows the future structure to have a long useful life.
High strength per unit weight
A characteristic of structural steel is its high resistance per unit of weight; as it is a light material, it can be used favorably in bridge and building constructions, as well as helping repair structures without adding “extra weight” that can cause a collapse in the project (either in the short or medium-term).
Reusable material
Structural steel is a material that can be reused; when a structural steel construction reaches the end of its functional life, it can be disassembled or dismantled, which makes it possible to take advantage of the removed material to later “melt” it and give it the shape that is needed (to be used in a new project).
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