20 Interesting Facts About Steel That Perhaps You Didn’t Know

It’s hard to imagine life without steel. It’s everywhere we turn – in construction, in transport and in the home. That said, we’ve got 20 interesting facts about steel that you perhaps don’t know. So pull up a chair and have a quick read.

Interesting facts about steel 1-5

1. Steel is the main material used to deliver renewable energy such as wind, hydro, and solar power.
2. Steel is recyclable and can be recycled time and time again without losing its integrity.
3. That famous cartoon character Popeye got his strength from iron which is the material used to create steel.
4. There is a ‘magnetic mountain’ in Russia which has such a rich iron ore content that birds avoid flying over it and compasses can’t function near it.
5. In Canada, it’ a tradition for engineers to wear a ring on their small finger made from iron which serves as a reminder of the obligations of their profession.

Interesting facts about steel  6-10

6. Steel is made by removing impurities from iron
7. Back in 1504 steel was used as a prosthetic when a knight made an arm from steel so he could hold a sword
8. While steel has been around for decades, over 75% of it has been developed in the last 3 decades
9. In the past 50 years, the amount of energy required to produce steel has been halved.
10. The first demand for steel came from the railroads.

Interesting facts about steel 11-15

11. Steel companies are the most widely involved trade in developing countries, in providing community-wide education and healthcare services.
12. Steel is used in practically every industry including construction, energy, infrastructure, machinery, packing, automotive and housing.
13. Steel roofs are extremely durable and can last 50 years longer than traditional roofs which have a life expectancy of around 17 years.
14. The average computer is made up of about twenty-five per cent steel
15. The Eiffel Tower is about 15 cms taller in the summer than in the winter because iron and steel expand when it gets hot.

Interesting facts about steel 16 – 20

16. Bridges made from steel are around four to eight times lighter than their counterparts made from concrete. Built in 1837, The Golden Gate Bridge built in San Francisco used 83,000 tonnes of steel whereas nowadays it would only require half of that.
17. Recycling a single can made from steel saves enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for nearly 4 years.
18. Steel could save your life in an accident – not because your car is made from steel but because steel is used in the manufacture of seat belts which can withstand high-impact crashes.
19. Seventy-five per cent of appliances are made from steel
20. Approximately 2 million people are employed directly in the steel industry (and that figure is still growing)

Metro Steel offers a comprehensive range of steel services including fabrication, processing, and steel sales. Contact us on 07 3204 1000 to enquire further about our services.