Steel.
13th Century BC Early Blacksmiths discovered that steel hardens when left to mix with charcoal in furnaces. 3rd Century BC Craftsmen used crucibles to smelt wrought iron with charcoal to produce ‘wootz’ steel. 3rd Century AD Roman Era Ancient armies quickly learned the life saving properties of steel’s durability and hardness . In 11th Century AD Science Enabled man to move away from superstition and fantasy concerning what could be done with metals.
Development Timeline.
18th Century Artisanal Steel: Producing hand made simple tools for the rich.
1779 Steam Mills: An essential early development to aid the Industrial Revolution.
1783 Steel Rollers: Henry Cort invents the steel roller for large scale production.
1865 Regeneration: The open hearth furnace greatly increased production of steel.
1950+ The Steel Age begins: Science unlocks the mysteries of steel, catapulting the industry.
1950+ Recycling Begins: Innovation enables scrap steel to be efficiently recycled.
1950+ Continuous Casting: Rapid solidification processing leads to better quality metals.
1970s Duplex Stainless Steel: Used for both aesthetics and practical applications.
2000+ Innovation: long life cycle and recycling at every point ensures a sustainable material.
The Future of Steel.
Steel is an alloy of iron and other elements, primarily carbon. These two materials are one of the most abundant materials on our planet and are infinitely reusable. Though rival materials can be a better solution for certain applications, steel isn’t likely to be replaced due to its high compression/tension properties and malleability when heated. Its relatively low cost compared to aluminium and composites enables our modern world to function. The future looks bright for steel and, in return for our world.
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