Pennsylvania Steel Company acquires leading steel supply company in Birmingham, Alabama
Bensalem, PA – 08/26/2024 – Pennsylvania Steel Company Inc., a leading Steel Service Center, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Besco Steel Supply, a steel service center based in Birmingham, Alabama.
For over 30 years, Besco Steel Supply has built a reputation for excellence, and forging strong, lasting relationships with its customers.This acquisition marks a significant milestone in PA Steel’s growth strategy, further solidifying our position as a leader in the Steel Service Center Industry and expanding our reach in the Southeastern United States.
Birmingham’s New Leadership
Hale Nelson started in the Metal Industry in 2006 and worked successfully in Inside Sales, Outside Sales, & both Operations & Sales Management, and was an award winning District General Manager of three locations in the Southeast.Prior to joining Pennsylvania Steel, Hale was a Regional Director of Operations in the Construction Supply Industry. Hale holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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Pennsylvania Steel Company Inc. is proud to be a Veteran-Owned Company since1972 & remains dedicated to delivering exceptional value to our customers & employees.
The vast differences between metal types make the variety you use for a project significant. For example, steel skyscraper construction metals require much more strength than the delicate metals used in producing jewelry.
How can fabricators accurately determine the appropriate steel type? Alloy steel and carbon steel possess specific properties and capabilities to function in different roles. Pennsylvania Steel Co. specializes in steel processing techniques and how to pick a suitable metal for the job. We provide top-quality metals for various East Coast locations with warehouses in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, the Southeast, and Ohio. Below, we outline the significant characteristic differences between alloy steel and carbon steel.
What is Alloy Steel?
The phrase “alloy steel” is a blanket term to describe the resulting product from mixing metal elements. Common alloying elements include but are not limited to:
Silicon
Chromium
Boron
Nickel
Aluminum
Cobalt
Tungsten
The addition of particular alloys affects the steel’s hardness, toughness, wear resistance, heat resistance, and tensile strength.
Types of Alloy Steel
Varying combinations of alloy metals result in different physical properties and characteristics. These combinations fall into one of two general categories:
High-Alloy Steel: contains a high percentage of other alloying elements (most commonly: stainless steel, which is approximately 12% chromium)
Low-Alloy Steel: contains a lower percentage (1%-5%) of alloying elements, making it generally less costly to use
Uses & Applications
Metalworkers use alloy steel as a manufacturing material in assorted industries, including mining, aerospace, automotive, and railroads. Industrial demand for alloy steel is high, as you can customize its alloying features for diverse structural needs. Its machinability makes it a desirable material for transportation infrastructure and other construction purposes.
What is Carbon Steel?
Put simply, carbon steel is an alloy (mixture) of carbon and iron. The high amount of carbon (ranging from 0.25%-1.25%) in this type of steel makes it incredibly durable and versatile, depending on the specific percentage of carbon.
Types of Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is prevalent and diverse in its applications. In general, carbon steel falls into one of three categories:
Low-Carbon Steel (>0.25%): the most widely-used variety of carbon steel that is particularly ductile and welds easily
Medium-Carbon Steel (0.25%-0.6%): slightly stronger due to higher manganese concentration (0.6%-1.65%)
High-Carbon Steel (0.6%-1.25%): high wear resistance and very low elasticity, with a manganese concentration ranging from 0.3%-0.9%
Typically, this type of steel becomes more challenging to work with as the carbon percentage increases. For this reason, high-carbon steel often has more specialized applications, including springs, wires, and knives.
Uses & Applications
Like alloy steel, carbon steel is useful in numerous industries, especially in the chemical, oil, and gas sectors. Carbon steel’s advanced, versatile strength makes it ideal for pipes, pressure vessels, cutting tools, and even weaponry.
Comparing Alloy Steel vs. Carbon Steel
Is carbon steel strong? Is alloy steel stronger than high-carbon steel? These answers depend on what you mean by “strong.” The list of attributes below expands on specific comparisons between steel types, including overall strength.
Chemical Composition
As previously mentioned, carbon steel contains mainly two elements: carbon and iron. Any other present alloys are usually regarded as impurities. On the other hand, alloying of additional components (manganese, nickel, chromium, etc.) in alloy steel alters the chemical properties and limits of the resulting metal.
Strength
Overall, fabricators regard carbon steel as having higher strength than alloy steel. In other words, carbon steel can withstand significant pressure but doesn’t bend easily. Alloying metal variations adjust tensile strength.
Hardness
Carbon steel owes its superior strength to being harder than alloy steel. However, higher carbon content decreases ductility and weldability, making this steel type slightly more challenging to work with.
Melting Point
In general, alloy steel’s additional elements give it a higher melting point than carbon steel.
Malleability
Steel becomes less malleable as you add more alloying metals. Therefore, the lack of variation in carbon steel’s composition allows for better malleability than steel alloys.
Weldability
Alloy steel is difficult to weld and prone to cracking, giving carbon steel higher weldability. However, the prior allows for adjustment of certain alloying elements to help streamline heat treatment.
Corrosion Resistance
Alloy steels have higher corrosion resistance than carbon steel, meaning they deteriorate (rust) at a slower rate.
Cost
The price of carbon steel varies and depends on the metal’s carbon content. As the carbon percentage increases, so does the price. Additionally, alloy steel is often costly due to varying amounts of alloying elements.
Quality Alloy and Carbon Steel from Pennsylvania Steel Co.
Only premium metal materials can craft superior construction projects. The experts at Pennsylvania Steel proudly supply leading manufacturers in numerous sectors throughout the U.S., from Charlotte, NC to our Cleveland steel warehouses. If you need alloy or carbon steel for your next project, request a quote from the Pennsylvania Steel Company Inc. team today.
Cutting through a material as strong as plate steel requires specialized machinery and training. The appropriate technique for a job depends on the project’s budget, specifications, and production schedule. The pros at Pennsylvania Steel Co. prioritize these specific needs to ensure only high-quality results and 100% customer satisfaction. In this guide, they cover the primary methods and safety tips to know when planning how to cut steel plate.
4 Main Methods for Cutting Steel Plate
Those wondering how to cut steel plate and achieve the desired result while avoiding injury must consider the significant differences between each technique. Most fabricators cut steel plates using one of four primary methods:
1. Oxy Fuel Flame Cutting
Process: cuts through plate using an oxygen-fueled flame
Primary Function: for cutting ferrous materials as little as ¼ inch thick, but typically sheets greater than 1 inch thick
Quality of Cut: generates some slag, but the surface is relatively smooth
2. Plasma Cutting
Process: a conductive stream of heated gas produced by a plasma torch cuts the plate
Primary Function: for cutting thinner sheets anywhere from ¼ inch to 1 ½ inches
Quality of Cut: results in smooth edges when cutting within the recommended range
3. Laser Cutting
Process: a chemical reaction between iron and oxygen creates a fine laser beam that cuts through the metal plate
Primary Function: usually for processing plates less than 1 inch thick
Quality of Cut: capable of precise, square edges and small holes
4. Waterjet Cutting
Process: uses a high-pressure stream of water to cut through metal plates
Primary Function: for processing thicker metal plates up to 6-8 inches thick
Quality of Cut: produces a smooth and accurate edge
How to Choose the Best Way to Cut Steel
Most sheet steel and plate steel requires a specific process for safe and effective cutting. So what is the best way to cut steel materials for your project?
Identifying the Proper Technique for Cutting Steel
As we know, manufacturers supply different steel varieties with varying properties. These attributes include thickness, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, grade, and reflection. Makers must consider the following properties when determining how to cut through steel for their project:
Attributes to Consider
Thickness – How thick or thin is the steel plate material? Oxy fuel flame cutting can process plates up to 12 inches in thickness. Conversely, laser cutting is the typical choice for very thin plates.
Precision – How precise of a cut is needed? Waterjet cutting results in a precise edge, while laser cutting is effective for creating small holes.
Edge Quality – How clean does the edge need to be? Many steel plates require secondary processing for refining corners and edges. Plasma or laser cutting usually produces clean edges that don’t require further processing.
Material Properties – How corrosive, conductive, or reflective is the plate you’re cutting? For example, most manufacturers prefer plasma cutting for more corrosion-resistant materials, and laser cutting can be challenging with reflective materials.
Expert Tips for How to Cut Metal Safely
Properly and safely cutting steel plates requires adequate preparation and methodology. Safety is always the priority despite the chosen cutting method. Below, Pennsylvania Steel Company offers a few tips for how to cut steel responsibly:
Remember PPE.
Gloves, goggles, masks, and headgear are just a few basic examples of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) necessary when cutting steel and other metal materials. Regardless of the selected cutting method, every project requires adequate PPE free of holes or tears.
Practice proper tool etiquette and safety.
Tools make our jobs more manageable, but only when utilized properly. Only use tools for which you’ve received training in full, and ask for assistance from a superior when needed. Furthermore, sufficiently maintain tools and replace or repair components when necessary.
Keep the work area clear.
Avoid tripping and other safety hazards by clearing the immediate work area of any clutter. Keeping tools and materials organized and out of the way ensures a productive workspace for everyone.
Turn to Pennsylvania Steel Company for Steel Plate Supply & Processing
After browsing the various cutting steel plate methods, weigh which techniques are most appropriate for your project’s scope. Generally, the best way to cut steel is the safest method. Our experienced metal distributors employ decades of industry knowledge to ensure our customers receive only premium metal supplies and services.
From North Carolina to New York, Pennsylvania Steel Company provides top-notch metals to fabricators and manufacturers at our New England/New York, Pennsylvania, the Southeast, and Ohio steel warehouses. Contact the sheet plate distributors at Pennsylvania Steel Company today for fast delivery options for your steel plate project.
