Rust / section loss
Corrosion silently thins members; inspection intervals matter more than brochure yield.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength88
Heat resistance72
Fire performance84
Insulation8
Workability80
Circularity64
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Quick answers
Is steel non-combustible?
As a metal it is Euroclass A1, but it loses yield in fire and usually needs protection for a rated duration.
Steel vs iron?
Steel is iron with controlled carbon (typically <2%) and alloys; cast iron has more carbon and a different solidification path.
Does steel insulate?
No. Thermal conductivity is tens of W/m·K. Insulation is a separate layer (mineral wool, boards, VIP).
Why does steel rust?
Iron oxidises in the presence of water and oxygen. Alloys, zinc, paint or concrete cover slow that.
Is stainless “stainless” forever?
No. Chlorides, crevices and wrong grades pit. 304 vs 316 is a chemistry choice, not a slogan.
Can steel be recycled endlessly?
Magnetically, yes as a family. Copper contamination and coatings constrain some high-spec loops.
heat 72 · fire 84
Safety here is encyclopedia, not a workplace assessment. Name the agent: dust, isocyanate, fibre, fume, moisture, fire.
Fire class A1 as construction steel is reaction language unless an assembly test is cited.
Hazards
Weld fumes
Hexavalent chromium in stainless fumes; manganese in some wires.
Sharp edges
Sheared plate and swarf cut; PPE is not optional on a fab floor.
Hot work
Sparks ignite nearby combustibles — a site fire class problem, not a steel chemistry one.
Noise / vibration
Rolling mills and grinders: hearing protection is part of the process envelope.
Fire class
Reaction
A1 non-combustible as a metal.
Resistance
Unprotected members fail by yielding, not by burning.
Coatings
Intumescents expand to a char foam; thickness maps to R-rating.
Compartments
Steel decks still need fire-rated floors and seals around penetrations.
Environment
CO₂
BF–BOF is carbon-intensive; EAF scrap and DRI-H2 change the ledger.
Recycling
Magnetic separation makes steel the most recycled structural metal.
Slag
BFS used in cement; still a by-product that needs a market.
Water
Pickling acids and mill scale must be treated, not dumped.
Handling
Store dry
Mill scale plus rain starts flash rust on uncoated stock.
Weld procedure
Follow WPS: preheat, interpass, hydrogen bake-out on thick high-CE plate.
Lifting
Sharp plate edges slice slings; use edge protectors.
Cut fume
Laser/plasma cutting of coated steels needs extraction.
Codes move. Recheck KS, JIS, EN, NFPA and IBC editions for the job’s jurisdiction.
Keep exploring
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Chromium passive films that keep kitchens, chemical plant and façades from rusting like carbon steel.
Overall 64