Stainless Steel – An Indispensable Structural Component in the Construction Industry

Stainless Steel – An Indispensable Structural Component in the Construction Industry

Chapter 1: Introduction:

The construction industry cannot think beyond stainless steel!

It is quite interesting to know that this material now finds a number of applications in several industries and is the most indemand material of the construction industry. Its high corrosion resistance and ability to withstand the extremities of temperature, has made it a popular part of a construction project.

The 20th century brought mass manufacturing of stainless steel. This led to great urbanisation when stainless steel was increasingly used in developing telephones, typewriters, railways and most widely in the construction industry. Use of stainless steel in the construction industry, is said to be one of the most remarkable applications of steel. It was increasingly being used in the construction of skyscrapers, which brought a significant change in the architectural world.

In the earlier years, Manganese was added to steel. This helped in increasing the heat resistant properties of steel. This new alloy was now increasingly being used commercially all over the world. It was also known that stainless steel could be easily hardened by using raw metals like titanium. In the 1980’s stainless steel was developed and increasingly used.

Now, stainless steel is used in the construction industry, in building suspension bridges, in roofing and also for creating flood barriers.

Chapter 2: About Stainless Steel – Properties

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron. It has a minimum of 11% chromium content. Stainless steel has some unique properties which make it a popular choice for the construction industry. (Information Credit – http://www.eurosteel.co.za)  Corrosion resistance: Stainless Steel does not suffer from uniform corrosion, when it is exposed to wet weather or any environment. Unlike carbon steel, which rests when exposed to moist air, stainless steel reports no such corrosion. Instead, stainless steel consists of chromium and undergoes passivation. It forms a thin inert surface film made of chromium oxide, with oxygen reaction from the air and also some part of oxygen which is dissolved in water. This layer of passive film prevents corrosion as it blocks oxygen diffusion to the surface of the steel. It also prevents the spread of such corrosion to the metal.  Non Magnetic: Stainless Steel has a non-magnetic nature. It has higher ductility and high strength. It withstands extreme temperature.

Whether it is extreme cold or heat, nothing can compromise the integrity of stainless steel, once it is used in the construction of a building.  Stain Resistant: Stainless steel doesn’t stain easily. It requires no elaborate cleaning and is able to retain its surface aesthetic for a long time, than all other materials which are used in construction. Thus, it is often used as a visible structural component in buildings.  Improves Aesthetic Appeal: Stainless steel has an extraordinary natural beauty of its own. Architects can easily expose the magnificence of steel while designing structures, emphasising completely on the transparency, strength and grace of the steel frames. There is no other material, which allows such application of creativity and expression in the construction material.

Chapter 3: Types of Stainless Steel Material:

Grades which have low alloys will perfectly resist corrosion when in pure water or in different atmospheric environments.

Grades which have higher alloy content will have a good resistance in acidic and also alkaline solutions. They will also display greater resistance to corrosion in chlorine bearing environments, which includes different industrial facilities and many processing plants.

Stainless steel is usually divided into four groups:  Austenitic – This accounts for the largest part of global stainless steel production. It has a number of uses, especially in medical equipment, kitchen utensils and food processing equipment to name a few. This is considered to be a form of stainless steel which can be easily welded and again divided into some further groups.  Ferritic – This kind of steel has some trace amounts of nickel. It has 12-17% of chromium. Such kind of steel has a good formability, great ductility and high temperature strength. This steel is also quite inexpensive than other types of stainless steel. Such metals are magnetic; these are not heat treatable and can be easily strengthened by cold working.  Duplex – These can be used in different piping applications and also chemical plants. This steel usually contains more than 22-25% of chromium and around 5% nickel. These are known for their high yield strength. They do not crack easily too – just ideal for use in pipes used in the construction industry.  Martensitic – This kind of steel has around 11-17% chromium. This carbon content steel is known for its hardened effects, which is most suitable for welding purposes. This kind of steel does not crack easily. These are widely used in the making of surgical equipment, dental equipment, cutting tools and in the production of knives.

Chapter 4

Use of Stainless Steel in Buildings and Other Constructions:

Whenever a building is constructed, it requires a good structure for its complete support. There are several parts of a specific structure which are made using stainless steel which includes masonry supports, wind posts, wall starters, and also lintels. All these important parts are manufactured with the use of stainless steel strip, stainless steel wire and stainless steel plate. Stainless steel is used in a wide range of fixings which includes typing wire, screws and also nails which are manufactured using stainless steel.

Common Uses of Stainless Steel in construction are:       

Handrails Drainage and water systems Architectural cladding Wall support products Roofing Structure Fixings

If there was no stainless steel we would experience a rise in prices in the construction of buildings, as all other substitutes are quite expensive. Also, it was noticed that buildings which were also not as aesthetically pleasing, were not quite resistant to corrosion as well. The importance of stainless steel in building construction can never be overemphasised.

Chapter 5

Benefits of Using Stainless Steel as Building Material:

Stainless steel is gaining immense popularity as a building material. More and more engineers and architects are now designing different buildings and structures. Here are some of the many benefits of using stainless steel as a building material. 

Strength and Durability:

Framing materials which are made using stainless steel display high durability and strength! This is also known as having great ductility. Thus, this clearly means that framing members will behave well when they are exposed to great tensile stresses. Stainless steel structural shapes are capable of withstanding large loads. They are also known to cover huge distances when compared to other kinds of building materials.

Superior structural support is provided by stainless steel structures which allow reduction in the thickness of material. Thus, this is quite a cost saving method when using conventional grades of stainless steel in the construction process. 

Corrosion Resistance:

Stainless steel is best known for its ability to resist corrosion. When it lies exposed to moisture or wet environments, it does not corrode. Being resistant to corrosion they are the most sought after material in the construction industry. Buildings or bridges are exposed to extreme weather conditions. In such a scenario, it is crucial to use a material which doesn’t succumb to damage caused due to weather changes, chemical changes or anything else. This makes stainless steel one of the perfect matches for architecture. Stainless steel is also considered to be quite a hygienic material. 

Greater Flexibility In Designing:

Stainless steel offers greater flexibility in designing as it is quite a versatile material. Stainless steel is manufactured in a number of custom as well as standard shapes. There are special kinds of stainless steel products which can expose or also coat surfaces so that the unique vision of the designers can be easily supported. Stainless steel does not have much weight of its own. Hence, it can be easily transported and is easy to build also. All these features make it a unique architectural choice for the users.

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Highly Sustainable:

When stainless steel framing components are used in the construction of buildings, it helps in reducing the carbon footprint. This implies, it has a wonderful effect on the environment. Besides this, it is known that stainless steel alloy is totally recyclable. All waste which is produced during the manufacturing processed can help in the making of more steel. It is really quite difficult to find any kind of better sustainable material. 

Easily Available:

Stainless is easily available worldwide and can be purchased from many reputed suppliers of aluminium and steel in South Africa. This is one of those few metals which is cost-effective yet enjoys a great demand. When choosing your supplier, you need to be careful and select the right supplier. This will ensure that you buy the optimum quality stainless steel which will be used for different purposes.

With so many unique features and characteristics, it is undoubtedly the most suitable material to be used in the construction industry.

Chapter 6 Stainless Steel Structural Design – Its Immense Use in Construction Industries

Stainless steel is one of the most important components used as a structural design. It is a favourite in the construction industry, where it is used for many purposes, as per usage requirements and designs. It used in the industry, because of its many distinctive properties. It is more suitable than the various alloy structural steels and the standard carbon steel which are available.

Stainless steel will never rust, stain or disintegrate when in contact with water or moisture. It has many characteristics which make it suitable for designing structural components. Stainless steel is available in various grades and in different types of surface finishes. It is important to select the steel grade as per construction requirements. In fact, stainless steel is increasingly used in every place where corrosion resistance and steel is needed.

Stainless steel is used in the construction industry for both aesthetic reasons and practical purposes. Stainless steel was quite popular even during the art deco era. Stainless steel is also used in several food restaurants and many ornamental panels as well as in the making of furniture and stainless fixtures. Steel is highly durable and hence the buildings are able to retain their general appearance.

Installing Stainless Steel and Its Usage: Stainless steel when used in the construction process needs to be stored correctly. If it is stored incorrectly, it might discolour or stain. To ensure optimum performance, you need to ensure that the surface of the material is regularly well taken care of.

During the installation process, it is important to ensure that a proper and meticulous installation is done, which helps in refining the stability and the lifespan of stainless steel. Thus, before stainless steel is used for any purpose, it is important to ensure that it is in good condition. It is often recommended to give the surface a quick professional clean just before installing it. In case of surface contamination, the surface should be cleaned following the necessary procedure. In some specific industries like food processing, pharmaceuticals and Aerospace, high cleanliness standards are often required so that good care can be taken.

Routine Maintenance: Good maintenance is needed for maintaining the appearance and quality of steel. Quite dependent on the environment, it is important to carry out good maintenance of stainless steel at least a few times a year. This helps in ensuring the good condition of the material.

Chapter 7:

Conclusion:

Stainless steel has been used in the construction industry for more than 75 years. The stainless steel industry has witnessed a remarkable and a consistent growth over a long time. Since the 1950’s, the production of stainless steel which is used in the construction industry has risen to almost 20 million from 1 million. The use of stainless steel has rapidly increased in the last few years, due to the many benefits of stainless steel over other traditional methods! The compound annual growth in the production of steel has increased by as much as 6%. It has outperformed most other competing materials which include carbon steel, copper and aluminium. This is one material, which the construction industry cannot do without!

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