Modern metal revamps ancient weapons

Here we see that tradition survives when injected with modernity. Historically, a Japanese concealed weapon used for throwing was referred to as a Hira-shuriken, but in modern times it is known as a throwing or ninja star. Whilst previously this term was used for any star made of metal everyday items, they later tended to be made of the relatively modern alloys stainless or carbon steel.

 

 

Corresponding with this traditional versus modern clash in manufacturing, the current perceptions of the throwing star differ from their origins. Unlike their revere today, the stars were thought expendable by Samurai warriors hence haven’t been preserved over time. Current replicas do however resemble the originals, thanks to the ready availability of carbon steel from which they could be made has increased due to its wide array of uses.

 

 

It’s purpose of course has changed over time. Contrary to popular belief, shuriken were not primarily intended as a killing weapon, Shuriken were primarily used to cause either nuisance or distraction. Targets were primarily the eyes, face, hands, or feet—the areas most exposed under armor. The shuriken would sometimes be thrown in a way that cuts the opponent and becomes lost, later causing the opponent to believe that they were cut by an invisible swordsman.

Shuriken, were also used in other innovative ways; they might be wrapped in fuse to be lit and thrown to cause fire , embedded in the ground injuring those who stepped on them, or wrapped in a cloth soaked in poison and lit to cover an area with a cloud of poisonous smoke. There are reports of shuriken being coated with poison, while other reports indicate that shuriken may have been buried in dirt or animal feces to cause a then-incurable tetanus infection.

 

Once a cheap throwaway item, in its new carbon steel state throwing stars are revered collectibles. Shanghai Metal Corporation agrees on the value of carbon steel and is a manufacturer of this and other value added metal products similar to those mentioned in this article. If you would like to find out more, check out our website, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Sources: Active Interest Media,Japanese Daggers, Ninja Weapons

Siobhan R. // SMC Editor

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Carbon may replace metal in mobile phones

A new technique gives scientists greater control in the production of carbon nanotubes. This may solve the problem of finding enough rare metals to produce electricity in the future.

Carbon nanotubes have a bright future in electronics. They have the potential at some point to replace many of the parts used in today’s mobile phones and computers, which are made from rare metals.

In order for the carbon nanotubes to create the big breakthrough, however, scientists must learn how to control the production of the tubes.

”Together with our international colleagues we have developed a method that allows us to control how the individual nanotubes ‘roll up’ and this opens up for a uniform production. This is the first step towards the ultimate goal of replacing metals and semiconductors in electronics with carbon-based components,” says one of the researchers behind the study, Professor Jakob B. Wagner, of DTU Cen, the Centre for Electron Nanoscopy at the Technical University of Denmark.

Source: Science Nordic

Elle T. // SMC Editor

How a New Technique is Changing the Way Sneakers are Made – Carbon and Stainless Steel could be next

Slip into these sustainable, knitted kicks, made by Nike and Adidas.

Introduced by Nike and Adidas, who are now battling for patent rights, the knitted Nike Flyknit and Adidas Primeknit are the future of shoe-making. Instead of being made of leather or nylon like traditional running shoes, the uppers of these are made from a single piece of fused yarn — a model of sustainability and efficiency.

With the old shoe-making process, excess material could not be reshaped or reused — creating a large amount of waste. But according to Nike’s sustainability report, the production of knitted shoes results in 80 percent less waste. That’s because when working with yarn, only an exact amount is used. Then, the thread is cut and the rest of the yarn can be used to make another shoe.

The technique isn’t limited to one type of fiber, either. Anything that can be made into a yarn – carbon, wool, Kevlar, gold and stainless steel – can be used to make these shoes.
Sustainability isn’t the only benefit threaded in those shoes, as the simplicity of the project is streamlining the industry as well. Knitted shoes mean a reduction in materials, labor, shipping and time. The shoes can now be produced all in one place, making it a self-contained process that can be used by small companies. All this means that more production can be done locally — benefiting both the business and consumers.

Source: NationSwell

Elle T. // SMC Editor

 

Carbon Steel Pipes for Fuel Oil piping systems

System Fuel Oil

Fuel oil piping systems transport fuel oil from holding tanks to heating devices, where it is atomized and burned for heating.

Fuel oil is a liquid byproduct of crude oil, which is used for energy, especially in regard to heating. When petroleum is refined, there are two main categories under which it is classified. One is distillate oils, which includes diesel. The other is residual oils, which includes products like kerosene. Different types of fuel oil are classified under both categories. Distillate fuel oil is the type generally used for heating. Fuel oil is used in northern states where natural gas and propane are not available.

Benefit of Material to Systems Application

Carbon steel is a popular material used for fuel oil applications and is valued for its durability and reliability. It is common, readily available and very familiar to plumbers and pipefitters. Because fuel oil is non-corrosive, there is no concern for scaling and corrosion on the inside of the pipe. However, when installed outdoors, uncoated steel pipe can and will rust over time.

System Application and Material Usage

Steel pipe is available in a variety of wall thicknesses with “standard wall” being the most common for use in fuel oil systems because of the relatively low operation pressure.

Carbon steel’s combination of mechanical properties continues to make it a popular choice for fuel oil applications. The strength and elongation properties of steel allow it to withstand stresses and strains without breaking under shocks from surges, water hammer and other man-made disturbances.

System Application and Material Usage

Steel pipe may be installed using a variety of joining methods including grooved, welded, flanged, threaded and other mechanical joining methods. Longer lengths enable faster and more economical installations.

Carbon steel pipe is a very familiar material for plumbers and pipefitters and the numerous special tools required will be on hand. They include a pipe vise or tripod to hold the pipe, a heavy duty cutter to slice the pipe, a ratchet and assorted pipe threading dies, a reamer and cutting oil, pipe wrenches, a pipe burring tool, and Teflon tape or pipe-joint compound, commonly referred to as pipe dope.

Source: OPUS

Elle T. // SMC Editor

 

Frank Stella on the Roof

“Frank Stella on the Roof” atop the Metropolitan Museum of Art features two large sculptures, a mammoth piece titled “Chinese Pavilion” and two smaller sculptures. After 11 tense days of preparations, the exhibition, which runs through Oct. 28, opened Tuesday in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden. A section of stainless steel tubing from the sculpture “adjoeman” (2004) is lowered slowly toward the northern end of the roof garden.

Mr. Stella’s workers, who traveled from his studio in upstate New York, to assemble the artworks, worked on welding and bolting the looping pieces of “adjoeman,” fashioned from 3,100 pounds of stainless steel and carbon. Given that they helped the artist create it and had recently dismantled it for transport, they were familiar with every nook and cranny. The work’s title is translated as “showing off” or “decorative” in Balinese, the museum.

The 2,000-pound carbon-and-stainless-steel sculpture “memantra” (2005). According to the Met, the title is a verbal form of “mantra,” which means prayer or incantation in Balinese. The day before the press preview, Mr. Stella asked Robert van Winkle, right, to re weld two pieces to adjust the sculpture’s placement.

Source: Carnage & Culture

Elle T. // SMC Editor

铁矿石简介-较于碳钢

凡是含有可经济利用的铁元素的矿石叫做铁矿石。铁矿石的种类很多，用于炼铁的主要有磁铁矿（Fe3O4）、赤铁矿（Fe2O3）和菱铁矿（FeCO3）等。铁矿石试样经盐酸溶解后，其中的铁转化为Fe3+。在强酸性条件下，Fe3+可通过SnCl2还原为Fe2+。Sn2+将Fe3+还原完毕后，甲基橙也可被Sn2+还原成氢化甲基橙而褪色，因而甲基橙可指示Fe3+还原终点。

铁矿石是国际大宗商品，战略物资，属于经济命脉一类的东西。世界铁矿资源集中在澳大利亚、巴西、俄罗斯、乌克兰、哈萨克斯坦、印度、美国、加拿大、南非等国。中国作为世界上最大的铁矿石需求国，自身的铁矿石储量虽然不算少，但品质不幸比较低，从工业经济的角度来讲，倒不如从盛产富铁矿的澳大利亚、巴西等国进口。

可以直接投入炼钢炉炼钢的铁矿石旧称“平炉富矿”，可以直接用于炼铁的铁矿石旧称“高炉富矿”，都带个“富”字。这些富矿一般是磁铁矿和赤铁矿，它们的含铁量都在70%以上。

贫矿，或者是有害杂质较多的铁矿，则需要先经过选矿，成本一下子就上去了。铁矿石的分类十分复杂，可以按主要成分、有害杂质、结构形态、脉石种类等许多角度来分，每种角度都能分出许多种，工业上选用哪一种，对应于什么样的工艺流程，有非常多的讲究，是一门很大的学问。

分类

磁铁矿

是一种氧化铁的矿石，主要成份为Fe3O4，是Fe2O3和FeO的复合物，呈黑灰色，含Fe72.4%,O27.6%，具有磁性。在选矿时可利用磁选法，处理非常方便；但是由于其结构细密，故被还原性较差。经过长期风化作用后即变成赤铁矿。

赤铁矿

也是一种氧化铁的矿石，主要成份为Fe2O3，呈暗红色，比重大约为5.26，含Fe70%，O 30%，是最主要的铁矿石。由其本身结构状况的不同又可分成很多类别，如赤色赤铁矿、镜铁矿、云母铁矿、粘土质赤铁等。

褐铁矿

    这是含有氢氧化铁的矿石。它是针铁矿  HFeO2和鳞铁矿FeO（OH）两种不同结构矿石的统称，呈现土黄或棕色，含有Fe约62%，O 27%，H2O 11%，多半是附存在其它铁矿石之中。

铁相对于碳钢，含碳量高出很多，但是在很多特性上，例如韧性上碳钢要胜出一筹。在名佳利，我们提供多种多样的碳钢产品，包括基本的钢板，钢管，覆铜钢带，甚至还有锅炉板等产品。我们能满足您的需求，让您充分体会到一站式采购的快感。

Andrew G.//SMC Editor

U.S. Sets Duties on Korean Steel

The Obama administration imposed duties on steel pipe from South Korea and eight other nations in a victory for U.S. Steel Corp. (X) and the United Steelworkers union, which said they were hurt by unfair competition from overseas. U.S. Steel rose 3.2 percent in New York trading.

The U.S. Commerce Department set duties from 9.89 percent to 15.75 percent on Korean pipe, which is used in oil drilling, according to a fact sheet released today by the agency. Last year, pipe worth $818 million was exported to the U.S. from South Korea. Duties ranging from 2.05 percent to 118.32 percent also were imposed on pipe from the other nations, which sent $722 million worth of pipe to the U.S. last year.

“We applaud their decision to prevent further gamesmanship of our laws and to secure our nation’s economy,” U.S. Steel Chief Executive Officer Mario Longhi said today in a statement.

The Commerce Department determined the steel pipe had been sold in the U.S. below cost, or dumped, in violation of international trade rules, after the steel industry filed a complaint.

The duties must be paid on the imports immediately, though will be refunded if the U.S. International Trade Commission determines that American producers weren’t harmed by the imports, a ruling scheduled in the coming months.

“This practice has already caused serious harm to our domestic steel industry,” Steelworkers President Leo Gerard said today in a statement. “Plants are being idled, workers are losing jobs and communities are suffering.”

Source: Bloomberg

Elle T. // SMC Editor

Carbon fiber wheels propel Tour de France winner

Hexcel Composites had a helping hand in the efforts of Vincenzo Nibali during his winning ride in the 2014 Tour de France. The rider’s bike wheels were manufactured using Hexcel’s carbon fiber composites. 

Lightweight carbon fiber bicycle wheels made light work of the Tour de France.

The high performance wheel weighs only 1,000 grams per pair thanks to the low density of carbon fiber in the prepreg that assures a very accurate weight distribution and provides a very light rim with good rotation inertia. Very high levels of stiffness are achieved, enhancing performance and the mechanical properties of the UD carbon prepreg make it possible to use only 12 spokes for both the front and rear wheels, for a unique aerodynamic design.

Source: Plastics Today

Elle T. // SMC Editor

China’s Coal Prices

Chinese coal prices are now close to their bottom after a long decline brought about by slowing demand and excess supply, an executive with a leading Chinese coal firm said. “I think prices are bottoming out and are unlikely to fall a lot more given the sector-wide losses and rising costs,” said Gong Qingchao, Head of Sales and Executive Director with the China Coal Group, China’s second-biggest state coal producer.

Speaking at an industry conference, Gong said about a third of China’s coal miners were making losses in 2013, and a further fall in prices this year has meant that an estimated 80 percent of the total are in the red.

Tumbling prices, caused by weaker demand due to slowing growth in China and a flood of cheaper imports, have forced many smaller miners out of business, while a slew of majors, including Shenhua Energy and Yanzhou Coal , reported losses for their 2013 results.This week, the benchmark Bohai Bay Steam Coal Index price rose 1 yuan to 531 per tonne after falling for 11 consecutive weeks.

Source: Reuters

Elle T. // SMC Editor

India & US – WTO Ruling

The World Trade Organization has ruled against the United States in a case brought by India over the imposition of high import duties on Indian steel products. The WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) has stated that the US was unjustified in imposing countervailing duties (CVD) on India’s exports of hot rolled carbon steel flat products. It termed the US Act as “inconsistent with WTO law on subsidies”.

Over the last decade, Indian carbon steel companies have been undergoing CVD imposed by the US that range from 18% to 500%. This action has reduced Indian exports of the product to almost zero, significantly damaging their carbon steel industry. The CVD is imposed by the US in an attempt to neutralize Indian Government subsidies on iron ore.

“We have to remember that the ruling does not state that the US has to remove the duties. The US has said it is weighing options, which means they can either remove the CVD or recalculate the duties, in which case Indian exports continue to remain uncompetitive in that market. The ruling, even though it has favoured India, does not mean Indian steel exports will increase in US,” said Abhijit Das, head, Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

Both countries have the right to appeal against the report within 60 days.

“India or even the US can always go for another appeal and seek a resolution. This judgment shows the importance of WTO DSB in today’s trade scenario,” said Ram Upendra Das of New Delhi-based Research and Information System for Developing Countries.

http://www.shanghaimetal.com/Spring_Flat_Steel_Bar–pds6036.html

 Source: Business Standard

Elle T. // SMC Editor