Difference Between Steel, Cast Iron and Wrought Iron
Most people refer to IRON as STEEL and STEEL as IRON. However, these are two very different products. Iron or iron ore is the fourth-most abundant element on the planet and can be found and mined in the earth to make various steels, cast iron, wrought iron, high/low alloy steels etc. Iron ore is the base element to make all grades of iron and steels, and is also an essential mineral which helps make hemoglobin in the human body. (more…)
Hardness vs Hardenability
When discussing abrasion resistant steel two terms that will often come up are ‘Hardness’ and ‘Hardenability,’ and while they may sound like the same thing because they have the same etymological root, they refer to very different aspects of abrasion resistant steel. While hardness is a characteristic of steel, hardenability describes the ability to do it. (more…)
Toolox Steel: The Hardest Pre-Hardened Tool Steel In The World
Tool steels like Toolox 33 Steel and Toolox 44 Steel are designed to be made into tools, hence the name. Specifically, they are designed to be very hard, to resist deformation, resist wearing and, in some cases, to hold an edge. Toolox Steel is used to make tools for cutting, pressing, extruding, injection molding and to form other materials into tools. (more…)
What Type of Wear Resistant Steel Do You Need?
There are three factors which determine how a wear resistant steel should be utilized. Hardness is a steel’s ability to withstand friction or wearing away by material sliding over its surface. Toughness is a steel’s ability to withstand impact or hitting. However, ideal hardness also requires ductility which allows the material to deform before cracking or breaking. (more…)
What Are Our Industrial Steels Made From?
Making industrial steel is like baking a cake: various ingredients are mixed together according to a recipe and then baked at temperature. When it comes to industrial steel supply, the ingredients are elements found in the earth such as carbon, iron, and manganese—and, much like making a cake, changing the recipe can drastically change the end product. (more…)