Consider how difficult it would be to picture our present industrial environment without steel flat bars. Produced at a cheap cost, with remarkable versatility, and a high rate of recycling (primarily mild steel), these thin, flat bars are a crucial piece of modern construction due to their low carbon content and incredible strength. Steel Flat Bars are all around us and below we’ll illustrate five of the many key uses for steel flat stock:
1. Construction
Mild steel accounts for the bulk of structural supports and framing in the construction of buildings and bridges. Because the steel flat bar pieces may be prefabricated at the factory or purchased as ready-made sections (such as plate girders and angles), a significant portion of the work is completed before the materials ever arrive on the construction site, hence reducing total construction time. As with all steel constructions, the feasibility of all connecting techniques – from bolting to riveting to welding – enables flat steel bars to be shaped and clad in any material chosen.
2. Notable Works
The collective name for large-scale undertakings aimed at extending or improving the life of a structure, significant works once again include steel flat bars prominently. Essential for ensuring a building stays safe for household, commercial, and industrial usage, flat steel bars make it simple to develop, replace, and strengthen sections of a structure that are in desperate need of repair. It can reinforce in ways no other metal can in bracing, framing and bracketing. Indeed, mild steel is highly reworkable even after it has been used, providing an additional degree of recycling for the rebuilding operation.
3. Renewable Energy Sources
Steel has always been a preferred material for the energy business, but as mankind strives for more environmentally friendly types of energy in order to combat the dangers of climate change, this metal will become more vital than ever. Steel flat bars, which were formerly used to construct infrastructure for anything from refineries to pressure valves, now serve as the basis for tower structures and as concrete reinforcing bars for turbine, water gates, and generator foundations.
4. Appliances for the Home
Flat steel bars are used in a variety of applications around the home, from locks to overhead doors and heaters. Refrigerators, chest freezers, microwave ovens, washing machines, and extractor hoods are just a few of the common goods that benefit from the adaptability and resilience of mild steel. To ensure the safety and reliability of these items, the metal is treated with a variety of coatings and surface treatments that protect the appliance for years to come.
5. Decorative Pieces
While they are less useful than the other things on our list, the amount of art, décor, texture, and conversation pieces that can be created with a few well-chosen flat steel bars is virtually unlimited. From very unique sculptures to shelving units with a decidedly modern vibe, the malleability and workability of flat steel bars make them an extremely valuable tool in the toolbox of any interior designer.