[TheForge] Use of Scrap in Steel making

[Jim Wallbridge]

  "Fiorini & Skiles" <koka@acegroup.cc> asked:
How much of the new steel that we use is made from recycled steel?  Is any
of the steel in the more specialty alloys, like the 1006 sheet that I use,
recycled?  Is it mainly the standard mild steel that is made from recycled
steel?

-- 
All commercial steel has a significant recycled steel component.  For 
traditional full process steel mills, scrap which may be in-house or 
external is added at various steps in the process primarily for its 
decarburizing capabilities and because it is cheaper that the 
in-house produced raw steel. Mini-mills typically use 100% scrap 
although some may use some partially reduce ore as well.  This use of 
scarp should not be consider as a low quality technique as some of 
the best tool steel is made largely from scrap (plus new alloying 
elements).  The build up of elements that may be undesirable (e.g. Cu 
for many steels)  must be considered in designing the refining 
process and removed if at too high a level
-- 
jim
(James ME Wallbridge P. Eng.) Libertarian, Metallurgist, Wood & Metal 
Worker, Fly Fisher,  Resident of Calgary,  Canada's new head office 
location of choice.   Permission is hereby given to use any or all 
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