Metals for Construction

It was the Bessemer process which allowed the mass-production of steel on an economically viable scale. It is largely due to this process that steel has become the material of choice for most structural applications due to a reasonably high corrosion resistance and mechanical strength.

From the I-Beamed skeletal frames of sky scrapers to the thousands of kilometres of piping used to transport oil and gas worldwide the process of joining large metal sections, which are made offsite, means big structures take little time to assemble.

As the joining sections of differing materials on their own is complicated, for many metal-to-metal joints welding is used to provide a strong bond, adding powder fluxes to prevent oxidation. Several types of metal rod can be used for welding depending on the substrates being joined, some examples are: steel, nickel, cobalt, tungsten and their associated alloys. Brazing and soldering are also commonly used joining methods. While powders, pastes and rods in a variety of different metals such as copper, nickel and silver constitute the filler material.

From roofing materials to electrical wiring, a myriad of other non-ferrous metals such as copper, zinc and lead supplement the structural applications of steel in construction. In fact, coatings of metallic zinc are generally regarded as the most economical means of protecting against corrosion.

As architectural boundaries are pushed even further, it is clear that steel will always be instrumental in the construction sector. This is due to its adaptable and favourable economic and mechanical properties. Meanwhile related materials such as non-ferrous metals continue to be developed and utilised for their specific physical and chemical properties.

Through the early vision of its founder, William Rowland Limited, are established as a leader in the supply of copper, zinc, tin and lead within the UK and around the world.

Metals for Construction

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