Industrial Carbon Steel I-Beam
Steel beams are the cornerstone of most engineering projects. They are used to create bridges and buildings, even the world’s tallest structures like Chicago’s Willis Tower (formerly Sear’s Tower).
When purchasing steel beams, it is important to choose a professional steel distributor that can provide the best materials at an affordable rate. The right company can also fulfill rush orders in a timely manner.
Corrosion Resistance
Carbon steel has an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for a variety of applications. It is also incredibly durable and resistant to corrosion in harsh environments. It is often used in construction projects such as bridges, tall steel buildings and large-scale storage warehouses.
There are five main properties to consider when selecting industrial steel I-beams: strength, ductility, toughness, fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance. The first property determines how much stress can be placed on a piece before it permanently deforms (yield strength) or breaks (tensile strength). The second property indicates how flexible the material is and measures its ability to withstand impact. Ductility is an important quality for ensuring the safety of workers working with structural metals.
Corrosion resistance is a vital aspect when choosing steel for construction projects in corrosive environments. This property is determined by the chemical composition and heat treatment process. In order to improve the corrosion resistance of steel, it is necessary to understand its microstructural engineering.
A combination of different phases in carbon steels produces a distinct corrosion behavior. Microstructural changes are analyzed through the effect of different quenching rates on dual-structure (DS) and triple-structure (TS) carbon steels with the same composition. These changes can be visualized through Tafel extrapolation diagrams, with Ecorr and icorr indicating corrosion potential and current rate.
Strength
The skeletal structure of buildings must be resilient to various forces. These include tension, compression, bending, and shear. The structural members must also be able to resist these forces at different angles to protect against structural damage and the potential loss of life or property. These forces are imposed by harsh weather or environmental conditions and can range in intensity from high winds to earthquakes.
Structural steel comes in a variety of shapes and grades. Each grade has its own set of specifications governing the quality and tolerances of the material. For example, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) categorizes carbon steel grades based on their yield strength and ultimate tensile strength.
For load bearing applications, your project will Industrial carbon steel I-beam require a beam with a higher yield strength than non-load-bearing steel framing. For instance, a load-bearing beam should have at least 35,000 psi in its yield strength.
Many mills offer wide-flange I-beams that meet a dual specification of ASTM A992 and A572 GR 50. This newer industry standard requires carbon steel I-beams to be constructed from stronger material than previous standards. However, you may still encounter older wide-flange carbon steel beams that meet the old ASTM A36 spec. Another common structural steel shape is steel angle. This perpendicular L-shaped steel has an equal or unequal leg length and is often found in corner of structures or in other locations to supplement main pillars and beams.
Weldability
Weldability is a critical factor when it comes to choosing a steel beam. It needs to be able to hold the load that it is being designed to carry. The first step in sizing the correct steel I-beam is getting an engineer to look over your plans and provide you with a size that will meet your structural requirements.
Low-carbon steel, also known as mild steel, contains a very small amount of carbon (usually 0.30% or less), which makes it easy to work with and inexpensive. This metal is most commonly used for automobile body components and in structural shapes like I-beams, channel, and angle iron. It welds well, especially with the electron beam process.
Medium and high-carbon steels are more difficult to weld than lower-carbon steels because they require a pre and post-weld heat treatment to prevent cracking. To do this, they are heated up to a very high temperature and then cooled down slowly. This process reduces stress on the welds and increases their strength.
With the right welding equipment and experience, it is possible to weld medium/high-carbon steels with tensile strengths of up to 484,000 psi. When S235U section steel working with these types of steels, it’s best to prioritize lower-strength filler metals, which will improve crack resistance and minimize cold-cracking risks. It’s also important to avoid using electrodes with excessive hydrogen, which can cause arc blow and weld discoloration.
Durability
A building’s skeletal structure must be resilient against several forces. These include bending, shear, compression, and torsion. The dimensions of a structural steel beam’s flange and web determine how well it can resist these forces.
To ensure that the steel is sturdy enough to withstand such forces, engineers use computer modeling and mathematical calculations to size the structure’s steel beams. They also consider the intended construction methods and environmental conditions when selecting the right beams for a project.
In addition, engineers must account for any anticipated shear forces to avoid excessive deflection. Excessive bending or sagging can cause instability and lead to structural failure. Engineers can mitigate this risk by using stiffer sections or adding additional supports to a structure.
Structural steel is available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some have specific applications, while others are used for general support. For example, H-beams are commonly used for large-span construction and provide excellent load-bearing capabilities.
Choosing the right steel beams for your project can be difficult. Fortunately, Kloeckner Metals offers a wide range of carbon structural steel and specialty shapes to meet the needs of almost any project. Their national footprint allows them to offer competitive pricing and expedited shipping, which is vital in the construction industry. In addition, they are committed to quality and customer service.