An Informed and Practical Guide on Steel in the Philippines

Steel is one of the world’s most essential materials in the realm of construction—containing about 1.2 to 2 percent carbon in weight as an iron alloy. Steel in the Philippines and across the globe have birthed an incredible magnitude of individual companies that have grown into innovative prominence in the world of business and commerce.

The wide spread of commercial steel manufacturing can be dated back to the late years of the 19^th century. Sir Henry Bessemer created an innovatively optimal method to decrease the carbon contents typically found in cast iron; decreasing the total carbon levels to around 2%, producing a tougher and more malleable steel. In today’s world, major steel production companies manufacture steel utilizing basic oxygen methods—a process that basically involves oxygen being blown into large-sized vessels that carry scrapped steels and molten iron. Another growing method of mass steel production is through the use of electric arc furnaces or EAF.

In today’s world, the iron and steel industry has become such an integral sector in the overall economics that it has become synonymous and associated as their own individual entity. Throughout history, however, they had their own separate sectors in the general market. The steel market was commonly considered as a marking point for economic up-rise. The economic miracles in India and China within recent years have significantly raised the accumulative world demand for steel. In result, many steel manufacturing firms have risen to fully functional development on a world scale.

Steel products in the Philippines and across the globe have crucial applications that range from the diversity of steel material—stainless, high temperature, and many other various degrees in alloy. Steel is a material that used in the production of infinite products. The strength of the metal and the arguably low costs for production make steel the imperative commodity that it is today.

History and Development of Steel

Steel in the Philippines and around the world can owe their progression to incredibly humble origins that date back to ancient eras in the births of human civilization. The story of steel begins in the early periods of human development, takes its first steps with the early uses of steel, takes flight with the industrial revolution, and finally continues to move forward with today’s innovations thanks to the highly technological advancements in today’s society. The stabilized invention of steel can be traced back to the 13^thcentury when early traces of blacksmiths discovered iron made tougher in charcoal furnaces—this fact was unraveled by the world’s leading historians. Even earlier periods show evidential artifacts of the humble origins of steel such as the Wootzsteel and Bessemerof 3^rd century BC ancient India and 3^rd century AD China, the armor used by the Imperial armies of the Roman Era, the 4^th century Iron Pillar of Delhi, and many others.

The initial steps of modern development steel in the Philippines and all around the globe can be dated back to the 16^th century, specifically around 1540 with VannoccioBiringucciopublishing the first systematic texts on metallurgy. In the 18^th century, Sweden led world steel production. It was around this era that steel was internationally recognized and planted as a material of utmost value for the waves of industrial manufacturing. Sweden was paving the way for Artisanal steel or the highest quality of steel during this period.

It was in 1865 that the Siemens regenerative furnace was developed by Sir Carl Wilhelm Siemens. The recovery of heat saving up to 70% of manufacturing fuel began the initial grounds for the mass-production of steel.  The 1860s period also witnessed the marvels of modern steelmaking as the foundations for the major railways that travel across the United States were to be opened. And with the turn of the 20^th century, the global expansion of steel production drastically saw peaks as demands for military purposes as well as transportation grew more and more.

Types of Steel and Steel Manufacturing

Steel in the Philippines and across the globe is arguably the most widely used material for construction purposes. The brilliant blend of work-handling, durability, and production costs make steel the formidable utility that it is. Based on the general touch over of the previous section, the processes of steel production throughout history have seen many changes and advancements in terms of the overall manufacturing structure.

The revelations marked from the events of the Industrial Revolution became the blueprint for modern steelmaking, but still adhering to the original principles of the Bessemer Process. Steel manufacturing in today’s world can basically be divided into the recyclable methods of either Oxygen Steel Productions (BOS) or with the use of Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF).

The modern steel making methodology can be broken down into 6 essential steps: Iron Production, Primary Steelmaking, Secondary Steelmaking, Continuous Casting, Primary Forming, and Finalized Manufacturing.

1. Iron Production The initial step in steel manufacturing is the inputting of raw ore, coke, and lime into a heated furnace that results in the formation of molten iron or hot metal.
2. Primary Steelmaking As mentioned earlier, the two primary steelmaking methods can fall into either the traditional Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOS) or the more contemporary Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). BOS procedures implement the usage of scrap steels with the molten iron, as oxygen is blown to the metal blend, thus reducing carbon levels from 0 to 1.5 percent. While the EAF process blends the recycled scrap metals through the use of high-powered electric arcs with high temperatures, thus the metal being converted into arguably higher-quality steels.
3. SecondarySteelmaking This following step of the steel manufacturing process is meant to adjust the composition of the steel. This is done through different methods of manipulating certain elements and temperature levels—varying in terms of desired outputs. Some of the common secondary steelmaking methods include: using a ladle furnace, ladle injection, stirring, degassing, sealed argon bubbling with oxygen blowing, etc.
4. Continuous Casting The molten steel is then shaped and cast as a cooled down mold that results in the solidification of the steel shell. After which, the strands are cut into specified dimensions that depend on usage purposes.
5. Primary Forming  This is part of the final steps in steelmaking; the cast steel finally takes form as a variety of shapes, commonly with the process of hot rolling. Surfaces are also adjusted to achieve the intended quality.
6. Finalized Manufacturing The final stage in steel production uses different techniques as to the fabrication and finishing. These techniques include: Shaping through cold rolling, machining through drilling, joining through welding, coating through galvanizing, heat treatment through tempering, and surface treatment through carburizing.

Steel in the Philippines and as well as around the world can essentially be divided into different types that vary in terms of their grading that have their own individual purpose specificities. Steel composition can chemically be divided as either: Stainless Steels, Carbon Steels, Alloy Steels, and Tool Steels.

• Stainless SteelsThese typically contain anywhere between 10 to 20 percent chromium as the primary alloy element. These steels are utilized for their incredibly high corrosion resistance rates. Stainless steels can further be divided into: Austenitic steel (non-magnetic, non-heat-treatable), Ferritic steel (strengthened by cold working), Martensitic steel (11 to 17 percent chromium, which are typically used as knives and cutting tools)
• Carbon Steels Carbon steels compose 90 percent of the world’s total steel production. Carbon steel can further be grouped depending on their carbon content: Low Carbon Steel (Mild steel, 0.3 percent carbon), Medium Carbon Steel (0.3 to 0.6 percent carbon), and High Carbon Steel (more than o.6 percent carbon).
• Alloy SteelsFor this type of steel, the common alloying elements include: silicon, nickel, titanium, manganese, copper, aluminum, and chromium. These elements vary in terms of proportion in order to adjust the finalized properties of the steel (corrosion resistance, strength, weld ability, ductility, etc.). Alloy steels are commonly applied for auto parts, power generators, motors, pipelines, etc.
• Tool Steels These steels have quantified variations of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, and cobalt in order to increase durability and heat tolerance—ideal for drilling and cutting products. Tool steels can be identified as: Tubular Products (bars, rails, pipes, etc.), Flat Products (plates, sheets, strips), and Other Products (several fittings, valves, flanges, etc.).

Steel Applications and the Philippine Market

Steel in the Philippines and across the many countries of the world is widely used also due to being the most recyclable metal material on the planet. The many distinct characteristics of steel as a manufacturing commodity vary in coordination with the different sectors it caters to. Steel in the Philippines and all around the globe can be categorized in accordance with their main applications: Transport, Construction, Industry and Appliances, Energy, and Packaging.Steel in the Philippines and across the world is a vital piece that keeps the industry alive.

• Transport Steel is widely used as an engineering material due to its reliability on a multitude of fronts. Most of steel production goes to the transportation or vehicle industry. A total of 50 percent of an average automotive vehicles weight consists of steel material. Advanced high-strength steels are utilized in the manufacturing of automotive vehicles—due to the lightweight qualities of this material. Every aspect of transportation machinery consists of steel: transmissions, trucks, trains, ships, rails, etc.
• Construction The majority of the world’s steel production is also dedicated to construction sectors. Steel is sustainable for various infrastructures due to their versatility in forms as well as alloys. The development of steel production went in a forward direction in accordance with the growing efficiencies of highly advanced construction techniques. Steel in construction can be seen in: buildings, reinforced concrete, offices, tunnels, fencing, low and high rise buildings, suspension cables, etc.
• Industry and Appliances It is an established fact that about 75 percent of a common household’s weight in appliances consists of steel. Everything from washing machines to ovens to sinks to microwaves to fridges, etc. Steel in the industrial sector is also utilized in various machinery, storage, tools, protective gear, etc.
• Energy Any of the main and major power suppliers such as nuclear, electric, gas, etc. all call for the prowess of steel for the reinforcement of their assured infrastructures. Mostly stainless steels are found to be utilized in a plethora of energy plant sources and their various parts: electromagnets, transformers, electromagnetic shields, pipelines, electricity pylons, electrical power components, oil wells, oil platforms, etc.
• Packaging Packaging that consists of steel material is used to tightly protect and secure products or goods from exposure to light, water, air, etc. Tin plated steel has been utilized as a reliable and reinforced material in packaging due to the fine surface finishes as well as the lightweight qualities. Steel is also commonly used in the packaging of foods and beverages, like bottle caps, for example.

Why Choose Regan Steel

Regan Steel is a company that historically delivers a complete variety and availability as well as services for steel in the Philippines that adhere to the highest standards followed across the globe. They guarantee delivery and offer the best competitive prices.

Regan Steel started as a simple shop operating in Tondo, Manila. They eventually transferred to Quezon City and in 2002 established warehouses as facilities. In this day and age, Regan Steel is listed as one of the Top 400 corporations in the Philippines. They offer the best in quality products and services for steel in the Philippines.

Regan Steel strives to move forward in their success by continuing to build strong relationships with business partners, clients, suppliers, stakeholders, etc. The key component to Regan Steel’s success in industrial and construction materials in the Philippines, such as steel, is that they are a people oriented organization that prioritizes all their employees and outside people that they are in contact with.

If you are in search for steel material, Regan Steel offers a wide variety of products with only the best manufactured steel in the Philippines.To learn more about Regan Steel’s products and services, click here!