Shaping steel into standard forms
There is a wide range of standard steel sections produced.
Designers can select from a wide range of standard steel sections to determine the profile, size and weight appropriate for the majority of situations; the following figure illustrates some of the most common sections used for structural steelwork.
The basic shaping process by which the slab is formed into the final product is rolling.
Rolling is the most common method used for shaping and is particularly suitable for large scale production of simple constant cross sections, such as bars, universal beams and columns, plate and sheet.
Forging is generally preferred where the end product has a varying cross-section eg. crank shafts of golf clubs. The technology involves either hammer forging, in which shapes are altered by blows form a moving weight, or press forging in which a steady squeeze is applied.
Some steel components are cast directly into shape - Cast Steel.
The production process is not significantly different from that of the traditional process of casting steel into ingots. Cast steels, however, may contain a higher carbon content than wrought steels of equivalent properties.
Cast steel is used for node type joints, special fixings, fittings for tension members and for other components where particular architectural and structural requirements preclude standard steel sections.
It is more expensive and less accurate than cast iron but is stronger and can be welded, which cast iron cannot. It is usually made by specialist casting companies.
Steel is very versatile and other sections and shapes can be produced by fabrication.
Non standard sections and members can be specially fabricated out of a number of pieces of plate although these will carry a premium for the fabricator's work on the rolled product.
