China Shanxi Taigang Steel Manufacturing Co.,Ltd Company News

Corrugated Roofing Iron has been a popular choice for homeowners and builders for many years. As you explore the world of roofing materials, it's essential to understand the advantages and limitations of each option. In this blog post, we'll dive into the world of Corrugated Roofing Iron, exploring its history, uses, and pros and cons. By the end, you should have a better understanding of whether this material is right for your project. We have prepared this article to provide you with the relevant information in regard to what corrugated iron roof sheets can be used for, their durability, general availability & technical specifications. We have organized the information that we have collected through our extensive research into this bullet list. Corrugated Iron Roof Sheet Product Information Corrugated Iron Common - What Uses does it have? What are the limitations of metal corrugated sheets? Pros and Cons Alternatives to corrugated sheets Corrugated Iron Roof Sheet Product Information Corrugated Iron refers to a type of roofing material that features a wavy pattern, known as a corrugated profile. This design gives the sheets added strength and rigidity. It was first developed in the early 19th century, and since then, it has become a popular choice for roofing and cladding applications around the world. Corrugated iron roof sheets are classed as a “made-to-order product” by the manufactuers such as Stramit. They can be rolled and made from many different metals. This can make it hard for suppliers to keep these in stock as there are so many colours available and a large number of lengths, which when multiplied can exceed most hardware suppliers' storage capacities. They can be ordered in a variety of thicknesses, the most common being .42BMT (base metal thickness). They can be made from Colorbond (Australian-made steel with a composite layer of Aluminium & Zinc for protection, finished with a baked paint in a wide variety of colours), Zincalume, aluminum, stainless steel or galvanized.   Easy-to-use warranties for Colorbond do vary depending on your distance from the ocean. You can visit the warranty calculator supplied by BlueScope steel and use it to work out which material would be best suited for your situation.   Manufacturers purchase the flat coil rolls from BlueScope Steel & roll the flat coil into the corrugated shape. Each manufacturer's corrugated profile can vary so it is important to consider using a manufacturer with a large national network like “Stramit” to ensure if you need a replacement sheet down the track that it will be easy to obtain. Each manufacturer’s technical specs can also vary so it’s important to do your research in relation to the task you intend to use it for prior to purchase.    Corrugated Roof Sheets - What uses does it have? Corrugated Roof Sheets are versatile and have a wide range of applications, including: Roofing: The primary use of corrugated sheets is for roofing applications, thanks to their durability and weather resistance. Wall Cladding: Corrugated sheets can also be used as wall cladding for a unique, coastal look. Garden Beds: Their durability makes them a popular choice for constructing raised garden beds. Ceilings: Corrugated iron can be used as an unconventional ceiling material, adding texture and style to a room. Fencing: The sheets can be used as an alternative fencing material, providing both privacy and an attractive aesthetic. Box Gutter Support Boards: Corrugated sheets can be used to create strong, sturdy support for box gutters. Using corrugated sheets comes with various benefits, such as being lightweight, easy to install, and suitable for various environments and building types.   What are the limitations of metal corrugated sheets? Despite their versatility, Corrugated Roofing Sheets do have some limitations: Installation challenges: The corrugated design can make the installation process more challenging, particularly when walking on newly installed roof sheets. Maintenance requirements: Over time, Corrugated Roofing Sheets may require repainting or re-coating to maintain their appearance and protection against the elements. Not suited for lower pitches: Corrugated iron is not recommended for roofs with pitches below 5 degrees, as water may not drain effectively and leaks may occur at the sheet laps. Smaller spans between battens: The corrugated profile typically requires closer batten spacing compared to alternative roofing profiles, which can increase the overall cost of the roofing structure. Corrugated roof sheets can be ordered not only in different materials but also in different BMTs (base metal thickness) and therefore we haven't included the full list of technical specs and minimum requirements in this document. It is always our recommendation that you hire the help of a licensed roofing professional when it comes to installing any roofing products.    Pros and Cons of Corrugated Roofing Iron Pros: Lightweight, easy, and fast to install: The sheets are relatively light and easy to maneuver, making installation quicker and more manageable. Aesthetic appeal: The corrugated profile offers a classic and visually appealing design. Cost-effective: Compared to other roofing materials, corrugated sheets are generally more affordable. Wide availability: Corrugated sheets are widely available from various manufacturers and suppliers. Available in Colorbond. Cons: The smaller span between battens: The sheets typically require closer batten spacing, which can impact the overall cost of the roofing structure. Limited to a minimum pitch of 5 degrees: Not suitable for roofs with pitches below 5 degrees. Can dent easily when walked on: Care must be taken when walking on corrugated sheets, as they can be prone to denting. Alternatives to corrugated sheets While corrugated roofing sheets have their advantages, it's crucial to explore other options before making a final decision. Here are some popular alternatives to consider: Stramit Monoclad (also known as Trimdek) Lysaght Klip lok (also know as Speed Deck Ultra) Stramit Longspan (trapezoidal roof sheet profile) Each of these alternatives has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and it's essential to weigh your priorities when choosing a roofing material. Consider factors such as aesthetics, durability, maintenance requirements, and cost to find the best option for your project.  Conclusion Corrugated Roofing Iron has long been a popular choice for its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and visual appeal. However, it's crucial to understand its limitations and consider alternatives before committing to a particular roofing material. By carefully considering your project's needs and exploring various options, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision.

  Selecting metal for the product you are manufacturing or the building you are constructing is one of the biggest decisions you need to make. The type of metal you select can affect the lifespan, durability, and type of maintenance that your product or building can require. It can also affect your budget and costs associated with your project.   Learning about the various types of metal that are on the market can help you determine which metal is ideal for your metal product or building. Read on to learn more about galvanized metal and everything you need to know if you are considering using this type of metal.   WHAT IS GALVANIZED METAL?   Galvanized metal is metal that undergoes the galvanization process. The galvanization process is the process of applying a thin coating of zinc to different types of metals. Different methods are used to galvanize metal, including hot dipping, pre-galvanizing, and electrogalvanizing.   You can tell that metal is galvanized when it has a pattern to it that is known as a spangle pattern. A spangle pattern almost looks like someone dipped a sponge in gray paint and then sponge-painted the metal. You’ll notice darker and lighter spots, much like you would see when a wall is sponge painted.   WHAT TYPES OF METAL CAN BE GALVANIZED? Iron and steel are the two most common types of metals that are galvanized. However, they are not the only types of metal that can receive this treatment.   Most ferrous metals are able to be galvanized, while most non-ferrous metals are not able to be galvanized. If you are unsure if a metal is ferrous or non-ferrous, a magnet can help enlighten you. If a magnet sticks, you have a ferrous metal. If the magnet doesn't stick, you are dealing with a non-ferrous metal. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF GALVANIZED METAL? Galvanization is primarily performed to prevent your main metal material from rusting or corroding. When a layer of zinc is added to a sheet of metal, the zinc itself will rust or corrode. While this may sound like a negative, it is actually a positive.   Since the zinc is rusting or corroding, it is preventing or slowing the more expensive and vital metal from rusting or corroding. This helps to protect your more important metal source from the damaging effects associated with rust and corrosion.   Helping to slow or protect against rust and corrosion can help extend the lifespan of your metal and reduce the amount of maintenance the metal may need.   The other major benefit associated with galvanized metal is that the zinc coating is long-lasting. You can purchase many products and sealers to protect your metal against rust and corrosion. Many of these coatings wear off in a matter of years due to weather exposure. Zinc can last upwards of 50 years, which prevents you from having to coat your metal again in the future. ARE THERE ANY DRAWBACKS TO GALVANIZED METAL? One of the biggest drawbacks to galvanized metal is that the galvanization process helps to hide imperfections, flaws, and problems with the metal. As such, you may miss problems with metal that require immediate repair or maintenance.   Another drawback to galvanized metal is that the coating is not always smooth. When it is used inside of pipes, it can lead to items getting stuck on the rough surface, which leads to blockages and obstructions within the pipe.  

  Steel is one such material whose importance cannot be underestimated in the industrial sector. It is used in variety of structures, equipment, processes and industrial settings. The two most famous types of steels are none other than galvanized steel and the stainless steel. Many people think that galvanized steel and stainless steel is the same thing because of their similar look but in reality they are different from each other. These two varieties of steel are different when it comes to their composition, strength and other features and one must know the distinction very clearly.   The different between galvanized steel and stainless steel   There is no doubt that both galvanized steel as well as stainless steel are exceptionally good for industrial use but there are a lot of differences between the two options and they are highlighted as follows-   Composition – Galvanized steel is obtained by applying a zinc coating on the steel surface to protect it from corrosion and there are Galvanizing Services in Vadoddara for obtaining high quality galvanized steel. Whereas the stainless steel is actually the steel alloy that contains at least 10.5% of chromium that helps in corrosion resistance. Affordability – Galvanized steel is more affordable than stainless steel because in stainless steel two or more substances are usually embedded to get steel that result in higher costs. Whereas in galvanized steel the already existing steel is coated with the zinc layer that can be done by the processes like hot dip galvanization, spraying, painting etc. The Galvanizing Services in Vadodara is the best for obtaining any help in this domain. Uses – Galvanized steel being less costly can be used for immense applications like construction projects, pipe based fittings, in fencing arrangements, roof installations, in making various industrial equipment, and for many other applications. Stainless steel is costly thus it can be mainly used for big projects where monuments, structures or buildings are to be built with its support. Thus, there are a lot of fronts on which the galvanized and stainless steel differ from each other. Based on the customized needs the right one can be selected for various industrial applications. The unimaginable benefits of galvanized steel for industrial components There are many industrial and factory based components like cable trays, crash barriers, raceways, earthing strips, substation structures etc. that require galvanization services time and again. It is very important to get such components galvanized because it helps in increasing their life, strength and effectiveness level. The galvanization process creates an active layer of zinc on the steel items that prevents corrosion and thus helps them in becoming absolutely rust free.   The Galvanizing Services in Vadodara are trustworthy when it comes to the need of galvanizing any steel based materials. And another important point to note is that these services are very reasonably priced and thus the clients don’t have to face any sort of financial burden. Galvanization is the most effective way to ensure top notch finishing for substances made of steel and it also makes them scratch free.

Stainless steel is the name of a family of iron-based alloys known for their corrosion and heat resistance. One of the main characteristics of stainless steel is its minimum chromium content of 10.5%, which gives it its superior resistance to corrosion in comparison to other types of steels. Like other steels, stainless steel is composed primarily from iron and carbon, but with the addition of several other alloying elements, the most prominent being chromium. Other common alloys found in stainless steel are nickel, magnesium, molybdenum, and nitrogen.   Properties of Stainless Steel Stainless steel has many desirable properties that contribute greatly to its widespread application in the making of parts and components across many industrial sectors. Above all, because of its chromium content, it is extremely resistant to corrosion. The 10.5% minimum content makes steel approximately 200 times more resistant to corrosion than steel without chromium. Other favorable properties for consumers are its high strength and durability, high and low-temperature resistance, increased formability and easy fabrication, low maintenance, long-lasting, attractive appearance and it is environmentally friendly and recyclable. Once stainless steel is put into service, it does not need to be treated, coated, or painted. Corrosion resistant High tensile strength Very durable Temperature resistant Easy formability and fabrication Low-maintenance (long-lasting) Attractive appearance Environmentally friendly (recyclable) Grading Systems for Stainless Steel There are many numerical grading systems for stainless steel, designated according to their composition, physical properties, and applications. Each type of stainless steel is classified by its series number and then assigned a numerical grade. The most popular series numbers are 200, 300, 400, 600, and 2000. The most common grades are type 304 and 316 which consist of austenitic chromium-nickel alloys. Cutlery-grade stainless steels are found in the 400 Series, which is derived from ferritic and martensitic chromium alloys. Type 420 is known as surgical steel, and type 440 is known as razor blade steel.   For more information, see our page on stainless steel types. Stainless Steel Classifications The family of stainless steels is primarily classified into four main categories based upon their crystal microstructure. Ferritic Ferritic steels are the 400-grade stainless steels noted for their high chromium content, which can range from 10.5% to 27%. They have magnetic properties, too, offer good ductility, tensile-property stability, and resistance to corrosion, thermal fatigue, and stress-corrosion cracking. Ferritic Stainless Steel Applications Typical applications for ferritic stainless steels include automotive components and parts, the petrochemical industry, heat exchangers, furnaces, and durable goods like appliances and food equipment. Austenitic Perhaps the most common category of stainless steel, austenitic grade steels are high in chromium, with varying amounts of nickel, manganese, nitrogen, and some carbon. Austenitic steels are divided into the 300 series and 200 series subcategories, which are determined by which alloys are used. The austenitic structure of the 300 series is distinguished via the addition of nickel. The 200 series primarily uses the addition of manganese and nitrogen. Grade 304 is the most common stainless steel. Austenitic Stainless Steel Applications Sometimes referred to as 18/8 because of its 18% chromium and 8% nickel, it is used in kitchen equipment, cutlery, food processing equipment, and structural components in the automotive and aerospace industries. Grade 316 is another common stainless steel. It is used in the making of a wide range of products such as food preparation equipment, laboratory benches, medical and surgical equipment, boat fittings, pharmaceutical, textile, and chemical processing equipment. Martensitic Martensitic stainless steels are in the 400 Grade series of stainless steels. They have a low to high carbon content, and contain 12% to 15% chromium and up to 1% molybdenum. It’s used whenever corrosion resistance and-or oxidation resistance are required along with either high strength at low temperatures or creep resistance at elevated temperatures. Martensitic steels are also magnetic and possess relatively high ductility and toughness, which make them easier to form. Martensitic Stainless Steel Applications Applications for martensitic stainless steels include a wide range of parts and components, from compressor blades and turbine parts, kitchen utensils, bolts, nuts and screws, pump and valve parts, dental and surgical instruments, to electric motors, pumps, valves, machine parts sharp surgical instruments, cutlery, knife blades, and other cutting hand tools. Duplex As the name implies, duplex stainless steels possess a mixed microstructure of ferrite and austenite. The chromium and molybdenum content is high, with 22% to 25%, and up to 5%, respectively, with very low nickel content. The duplex structure gives the stainless steel many desirable properties. For starters, it offers double the strength of ordinary austenitic or ferritic stainless steels, with excellent corrosion resistance and toughness. Duplex Stainless Steel Applications Designated in the 2000 Grade series, duplex stainless steel is ideal for applications in demanding environments such as in chemical, oil, and gas processing and equipment, marine, high chloride environments, pulp and paper industry, cargo tanks for ships and truck, and bio-fuels plants, chloride containment or pressure vessels, transportation, heat exchanger tubes, construction, the food industry, desalination plants, and components for FGD systems.

Carbon steel is an iron-carbon alloy, which contains up to 2.1 wt.% carbon. For carbon steels, there is no minimum specified content of other alloying elements, however, they often contain manganese. The maximum manganese, silicon and copper content should be less than 1.65 wt.%, 0.6 wt.% and 0.6 wt.%, respectively.     Types of carbon steel and their properties   Carbon steel can be classified into three categories according to its carbon content: low-carbon steel (or mild-carbon steel), medium-carbon steel and high-carbon steel [1]. Their carbon content, microstructure and properties compare as follows: Low-carbon steel   Low carbon steel is the most widely used form of carbon steel. These steels usually have a carbon content of less than 0.25 wt.%. They cannot be hardened by heat treatment (to form martensite) so this is usually achieved by cold work.   Carbon steels are usually relatively soft and have low strength. They do, however, have high ductility, making them excellent for machining, welding and low cost.   High-strength, low-alloy steels (HSLA) are also often classified as low-carbon steels, however, also contain other elements such as cooper, nickel, vanadium and molybdenum. Combined, these comprise up to 10 wt.% of the steel content. High-strength, low-alloy steels, as the name suggests, have higher strengths, which is achieved by heat treatment. They also retain ductility, making them easily formable and machinable. HSLA are more resistant to corrosion than plain low-carbon steels.   Medium-carbon steel   Medium-carbon steel has a carbon content of 0.25 – 0.60 wt.% and a manganese content of 0.60 – 1.65 wt.%. The mechanical properties of this steel are improved via heat treatment involving autenitising followed by quenching and tempering, giving them a martensitic microstructure.   Heat treatment can only be performed on very thin sections, however, additional alloying elements, such as chromium, molybdenum and nickel, can be added to improve the steels ability to be heat treated and, thus, hardened.   Hardened medium-carbon steels have greater strength than low-carbon steels, however, this comes at the expense of ductility and toughness.   High-carbon steel   High-carbon has a carbon content of 0.60– 1.25 wt.% and a manganese content of 0.30 – 0.90 wt.%. It has the highest hardness and toughness of the carbon steels and the lowest ductility. High-carbon steels are very wear-resistant as a result of the fact that they are almost always hardened and tempered.   Tool steels and die steels are types of high-carbon steels, which contain additional alloying elements including chromium, vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten. The addition of these elements results in the very hard wear-resistant steel, which is a result of the formation of carbide compounds such as tungsten carbide(WC).   Production and processing Carbon steel can be produced from recycled steel, virgin steel or a combination of both.   Virgin steel is made by combining iron ore, coke (produced by heating coal in the absence of air) and lime in a blast furnace at around 1650 °C. The molten iron extracted from the iron ore is enriched with carbon from the burning coke. The remaining impurities combine with the lime to form slag, which floats on top of the molten metal where it can be extracted.   The resulting molten steel contains roughly 4 wt.% carbon. This carbon content is then reduced to the desired amount in a process called decarburisation. This is achieved by passing oxygen through the melt, which oxidises the carbon in the steel, producing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.     Examples & Applications Low-carbon steel Low carbon steels are often used in automobile body components, structural shapes (I-beams, channel and angle iron), pipes, construction and bridge components, and food cans. Medium-carbon steel As a result of their high strength, resistance to wear and toughness, medium-carbon steels are often used for railway tracks, train wheels, crankshafts, and gears and machinery parts requiring this combination of properties. High-carbon steel Due to their high wear-resistance and hardness, high-carbon steels are used in cutting tools, springs high strength wire and dies.   Comparison of properties and applications of different grades Examples, properties, and applications of the various carbon steels are compared in the following table.  

Offices with amenities attracted workers in the past – but they don't fit their post-pandemic lifestyles (Credit: Getty Images)   Companies are clawing to bring back pre-pandemic perks and that 'family' feeling – but employees want something more tangible.   Many employers are calling employees back into offices, trying to restore the workplace of pre-pandemic days. Along with filling seats, they're also looking to bring back another relic: office culture.   Pre-2020, office culture was synonymous with the 'cool' office: think places to lounge, stocked pantries and in-office happy hours that went all out; or luxe retreats and team-building exercises meant to foster the feeling of 'family'. In past years, these perks drew many workers to the office – in some cases, entire companies defined themselves by their office culture.   The world of work looks and feels entirely different than just a few years ago – yet many companies are still intent on recreating the office cultures workers left behind as they abandoned their desks in 2020. While these companies are making some gestures to adapt – for instance, redesigning spaces to accommodate new preferences and hybrid-work habits – many are still set on bringing back what lured in workers before the pandemic.   Yet swaths of employees simply aren't interested in going backward. Instead of trust-falls and cold brew on tap, employees are demanding flexible work, equitable pay and a focus on humanity in the workplace that transcends the perks they sought years earlier.   Workers' shifting priorities are a natural consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, says Georgina Fraser, head of human capital for global commercial real-estate firm CBRE. "The pandemic gave us autonomy in a way that we haven't had previously," she says. "It gave us the opportunity to choose how we structured our working days."   Flexibility, personal support and remote work are far more important to employees in a post-pandemic world (Credit: Getty Images)   And now that workers have experienced that level of work-life balance, they won't settle for less. Fraser adds: "Post-pandemic, we saw a resurgence of people being very vocal about what they wanted and needed, not just from office culture, but from the wider world."   Now, she says, workers aren't shy about "wanting to be seen as a whole human – and that filters down to their physical location, how [employers] manage them, what support they receive and how [employers] integrate technologies between home and office in order to support them".   One major factor in this changing attitude is that many employees feel office culture simply isn't applicable in a remote- and hybrid-first world, where the physical office can feel superfluous. Now that the workplace doesn't serve as the culture hub it once did, "companies have really struggled to redefine the role of the office", says Lewis Beck, CBRE's head of workplace for Europe. Office culture that was once meant to get employees excited doesn't have the same pull when workplaces are only one-third full.   And workers who are interested in – or required to do – office work aren't looking for many of the perks that defined culture before 2020. This is especially the case for young employees.     "I've heard about the infamous 'fun' activities in the office – cool downtime areas, ping-pong tables, things like that. And I don't think I've ever been wildly intrigued by them – Jamie Masterson     "We call Gen Z the 'activist generation', and we're seeing them demand more accountability," says Fraser, pointing to amenities like gender-neutral toilets, eco-friendly snack options and office spaces that offer more opportunities to build community. She also notes: "We're seeing heightened expectations around those moments that don't have to do with work – whereas, pre-pandemic, people would come in focusing [more strictly] on work."   Plus, as young people compose more of the workforce, not only are they not excited about the office culture of past – they've never experienced it.   "I've never known an office culture that was not remote," says 24-year-old Jamie Masterson, a digital marketing specialist who entered the US workforce in 2021, in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic. "I've heard about the infamous 'fun' activities in the office – cool downtime areas, ping-pong tables, things like that. And I don't think I've ever been wildly intrigued by them."   Masterson, instead, is more interested in tangible benefits like pay, healthcare and flexible time off. "People take breaks in their own way and can form connections in their own way. [Office perks] being considered 'benefits' compared to something actually beneficial – something monetary – during a time when people are in crisis and our country's in crisis, it just feels a little tone-deaf."   And amid years of mass layoffs that continue with a steady drumbeat, workers are more concerned with financial security and wellbeing. This can make the focus on office culture feel particularly out of touch for workers like Masterson.   Ultimately, there's nothing wrong with fun office perks – but if a company can't back them up with tangible benefits to improve employees' lives, they'll miss out on talent. "The next generation is very comfortable advocating for their needs," says 32-year-old Juan Franco,an associate director of operations working in higher education. "And if a company is not adapting to their needs, they can't expect to keep that employee happy."   Masterson agrees: "Obviously, culture is cool, but at the end of the day, we all need to survive."

  "Every year across Europe, there are about 30 million mattresses that are at the end of their life," says Benjamin Marien. "The vast majority of them end up in landfill or being burned."   Marien is a director at Aquinos Bedding, which makes 1.2 million mattresses per year. The company uses pure polyester covers for most new products because it can be recycled, as opposed to a mix of materials that cannot be separated.   "You see more and more initiatives popping up for dismantling and recycling mattresses," he says. "But that doesn't really help if the dismantler has no idea what the mattress is made of. That's why I'm very excited about the digital product passport."   Digital product passports (DPPs) are being introduced across the EU to improve sustainability. They capture data about the environmental impact of products, their composition, their production and history. Industrial and electric vehicle batteries will be the first products to have mandatory DPPs, from 2027. Other product categories, including textiles, are expected to follow by 2030.   "The European Commission thinks that if the final customer is better informed, they can put pressure on the manufacturer and the distributors [to develop more sustainable products]," says Dr Natacha Tréhan, an expert in procurement and the circular economy at the University of Grenoble Alpes. "It'll increase eco-design. I'm very happy about this because 80% of environmental impact is determined at the design stage."   A number of industry consortia, such as the Global Battery Alliance, are working on developing standards, including defining what should be included in the digital product passport and consistent definitions. "It's impossible to do it alone," says Dr Tréhan. "DPPs are a great example of the need to cooperate not only throughout your supply chain but also with your competitors."   Aquinos plans to tag a million mattresses by 2027 says director Benjamin Marien   Aquinos is introducing digital product passports this year and expects to have one million mattresses tagged by 2027. The passports will be attached to the mattresses in two ways. There will be a QR code for consumers to scan so they can learn about where the mattress was made and what it was made from. The DPP could also hold warranty and washability information to help extend the product's life. Inside the mattress will be an RFID tag for recyclers to access the passport. It's easier to scan automatically, and it won't fade or get cut off.   To introduce DPPs, Aquinos is working with TripleR, which specialises in digital product passports for bedding, and Avery Dennison, which offers an implementation service including hardware, software, digital ID technology and labels.   "We don't create new information as part of this process," says Michael Goller, senior director for atma.io at Avery Dennison. "We integrate with existing systems." He adds: "This is not something entirely new: QR codes, RFID and the cloud have been here forever. But applying a combination of technologies to a new problem drives innovation."   Nobody's Child plans to ship all of its products with passports by the end of 2024   Clothing brand Nobody's Child tested digital product passports in its autumn/winter 2023 collection.   That collection used a broad range of suppliers and fabrics, and so gave the firm an opportunity to test the process. The company aims to ship all Nobody's Child products with passports by the end of 2024.   "The legislation lays out that a digital product passport needs to be something that lasts the duration of the lifecycle of the product," says Andrew Xeni, the founder of Nobody's Child.   "At the moment, the best we could get to, which is commercially viable, is a woven label, like a wash care label."   Factories know how to apply it, he adds, and the carrier for the DPP can be a simple QR code. "When you scan it, it takes you to a [web page] which is unique to that individual unit," he says. "Not the style or size, but that actual one in your possession."   Manufacturers will often have multiple suppliers for the same raw materials and components, so items that look alike could have different carbon footprints. The data in the DPP will reflect those differences.   Mr Xeni expects that one day DPP data will have to be officially validated.   "The EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive is going to hold companies accountable for the integrity of the data they're reporting, including the claims on their digital product passports."   Most of the materials that go into 100 Fetter Lane in London will have product passports   For new building 100 Fetter Lane in London, architects Fletcher Priest and engineers Waterman have been asking suppliers to provide information for materials passports. The project, due to be completed this year, uses multiple layers of passports, from materials, through components, to the entire building.   Passports cover structural steel, in-situ and precast concrete, and the raised access floor. Together, they are estimated to account for more than 80% of the building's mass.   "The precast elements on the façade have been designed with bolted connections, which allow them to be easily removed in one piece and reused in a different location, in a different configuration," says Mark Sutton, senior associate, Fletcher Priest Architects.   "At the end of the building's life, the materials are documented in such a manner that it will allow reuse in component form for precast elements and also recycling," he says. "We expect that at that time there will be databases which are widespread and a marketplace for these materials and components."   Circuland is a start-up that aims to create such a marketplace. Its co-founder is Anastasia Stella, who is also associate sustainability consultant for the Fetter Lane project at Waterman.   "By aggregating data from different buildings, there will be a publicly available material stock database to share key benchmarks for types of materials and different typologies of buildings," she says.   "When we have materials in our buildings that we don't need any more, their passports will be sent to the marketplace for used products where you can see their history. When the element is bought and used in another building, the same passport will be used for the new development."   As well as supporting better buying decisions and helping with materials recycling, DPPs can support the reuse of products. Jarrod McAdoo is director of product at Ivalua, which provides technology to manage supply chains and procurement. In a previous role, he worked in the power generation sector and was responsible for sourcing discontinued spare parts for critical infrastructure.   "The chance of installing a counterfeit part was always so great," he says. "Something like a digital passport would have made that process so much easier because you'd be able to see exactly where that part came from."   To make a success of DPPs, he emphasises the need for large companies to support their supply chains. "It's about how the individuals who have resources can help educate some of those lower-level suppliers who, maybe, are willing but don't have the necessary knowledge."

Learn the benefits of each type of steel, and which to pick for your project   Steel comes in many grades, specifications, shapes, and finishes—the World Steel Association lists over 3,500 different grades of steel, each with unique properties. The various types mean that steel can by widely used in infrastructure, appliances, vehicles, wind turbines, and many more applications.   Optimizing steel’s properties for each application goes beyond changing the chemical composition, however. The manufacturing processing of steel can also have a significant impact on steel products—even when the grades and specifications are the same. One key distinction among pre-fabricated steel products is the difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel.   What’s the difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel? It’s important to note that the main difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel is one of process. “Hot rolling” refers to processing done with heat. “Cold rolling” refers to processes done at or near room temperature. Although these techniques affect overall performance and application, they should not be confused with formal specifications and grades of steel, which relate to metallurgical composition and performance ratings. Steels of different grades and specifications can be either hot rolled or cold rolled—including both basic carbon steels and other alloy steels.   It may seem obvious, but some types of steel are better suited for certain applications. Knowing which to use can help avoid over-spending on raw materials. It can also save time and money on additional processing. Understanding the differences between hot and cold steel is integral to choosing one over the other.

Cold rolled steel is essentially hot rolled steel that has been through further processing. Once hot rolled steel has cooled, it is then re-rolled at room temperature to achieve more exact dimensions and better surface qualities. Cold “rolled” steel is often used to describe a range of finishing processes, though technically “cold rolled” applies only to sheets that undergo compression between rollers. Steel forms that are pulled, such as bars or tubes, are “drawn,” not rolled. Other cold finishing processes include turning, grinding, and polishing—each of which is used to modify existing hot rolled stock into more refined products.   Cold rolled steel can often be identified by the following characteristics: Better, more finished surfaces with closer tolerances Smooth surfaces that are often oily to the touch Bars are true and square, and often have well-defined edges and corners Tubes have better concentric uniformity and straightness What are the benefits of cold rolled steel? With better surface characteristics than hot rolled steel, it’s no surprise that cold rolled steel is often used for more technically precise applications, or where aesthetics are important. But due to the additional processing for cold finished products, they come at a higher price. In terms of physical characteristics, cold rolled steels are typically harder and stronger than standard hot rolled steels. As the metal is shaped at the lower temperatures, the steel’s hardness, resistance against tension breaking, and resistance against deformation are all increased due to work hardening. These additional treatments, however, can also create internal stress within the material. This can cause unpredictable warping if the steel is not stress relieved prior to cutting, grinding, or welding.

Hot rolled steel is steel that has been roll-pressed at very high temperatures. Hot rolled steel is steel that has been roll-pressed at very high temperatures—over 1,700˚F, which is above the re-crystallization temperature for most steels. This makes the steel easier to form, and resulting in products that are easier to work with. To process hot rolled steel, manufacturers first start with a large, rectangular length of metal, called a billet. The billet is heated and then sent for pre-processing, where it is flattened into a large roll. From there, it is kept at a high temperature and run through a series of rollers to achieve its finished dimensions. The white-hot strands of steel are pushed through the rollers at high speeds. For sheet metal, rolled steel is spun into coils and left to cool. For other forms, such as bars or plates, materials are sectioned and packaged.   Steel shrinks slightly as it cools. Since hot rolled steel is cooled after processing, there is less control over its final shape, making it less suitable for precision applications. Hot rolled steel is often used in applications where minutely specific dimensions aren’t crucial. Railroad tracks and construction projects often use hot rolled steel.   Hot rolled steel can often be identified by the following characteristics: A scaled surface—a remnant of cooling from extreme temperatures Slightly rounded edges and corners for bar and plate products (due to shrinkage and less precise finishing) Slight distortions, where cooling may result in slightly trapezoidal forms, as opposed to perfectly squared angles ​What are the benefits of hot rolled steel?   Hot rolled steel typically requires much less processing than cold rolled steel, which makes it a lot cheaper. Because hot rolled steel is allowed to cool at room temperature, it’s essentially normalized—meaning it’s free from internal stresses that can arise from quenching or work-hardening processes.   Hot rolled steel is ideal where dimensional tolerances aren’t as important as overall material strength, and where surface finish isn’t a key concern. Where surface finish is a concern, scaling can be removed by grinding, sand blasting, or acid-bath pickling. Once scaling has been removed, various brush or mirror finishes can also be applied. Descaled steel also offers a better surface for painting and other surface coatings.