HOW STEEL IS PRODUCED

Steel is a ferrous metal which is defined as a metal that comes from, or contains iron. It has a number of uses from construction to kitchen appliances and is now one of the most used metals in the world. At Process Steels we supply RSJ beams throughout the West Midlands area and make sure that all of our products are manufactured to the highest of standards with top quality materials.

The first stage of producing steel is to mine iron ore from the ground. Much of this is extracted from China, Australia and Brazil, however there are many other places that it can be found. Iron is no longer mined throughout the United Kingdom in large quantities as the ore found in many other places is of a higher quality.

Smelting then takes place, which is the process of extracting metal from its ore. Any impurities are removed at the same time, giving a high quality product. This often features large machinery and can be both a dirty and dangerous job. Temperatures are above 1000 degrees Celsius, as the melting point of iron ore is extremely high.

Carbon is then added as this strengthens the metal to make steel as it fills the gaps between the crystals, allowing these not to slip. An average of around 1% carbon is present within most steel products.

The steel is then cast into slabs or ingots and distributed for use wherever needed. For RSJ beams to be supplied for your construction project, contact us on 0121 526 5757 or send us an email via our contact page.

RSJ BEAMS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Here at Process Steels, we supply a number of RSJ (rolled steel joist) beams, suitable for various construction projects across Birmingham and the rest of the UK. In fact, as the number one supplier in the Midlands, we’d consider ourselves experts in these beams.

Support beams are absolutely essential for a building’s stability, and it is crucial that construction workers ensure that they purchase high-quality beams from a leading supplier like ourselves, in order to ensure a building’s structural safety. These materials may seem like a small part of an overall build but they have a big responsibility; to support and hold together the entire building.
Our beams come in a variety of shapes and sizes dependent on their position in the build’s ceilings, walls or floors. It’s imperative when purchasing beams that you select the right one for the job – here’s a brief round up of our main two types.

I BEAMS & COLUMNS

I beams and I columns are easily recognisable by their distinctive ‘I’ shape, which could also be viewed as a ‘H’ when stood on it’s side. The I beam is designed to be placed horizontally, so it’s ideal for loft or ceiling beams. We stock I beams varying in size, from 127mm to 915mm in length. The columns are similar in appearance but chunkier, making them suitable for placing vertically. This means that they are more appropriate for supporting ceilings.

PARALLEL FLANGE CHANNEL

With a distinguishable ‘C’ shape, these are sometimes known as C Beams. They are particularly useful if you have a need to slot them into place or join them with other building materials due to their C-like shape, and can be used in a similar way to I beams.

If you’re looking for an I beam in Coventry or Tamworth, make Process Steels your first port of call. We’d be happy to discuss the different shapes, styles and sizes with you in more details, and we can even fabricate and modify your beams and joists to meet your individual requirements. For more information, call 0121 526 5757 or contact us online.