The history of steel production from the beginning to the present day

Today, steel is one of the most important and widely used metals produced from iron in the world. By using steel, all kinds of iron sections, household appliances, machines, small and large structures, all kinds of tools and other practical products are made.

The history of steel production dates back to 4000 years before the beginning of the Iron Age. The oldest prototypes related to the use of steel were recorded around 1800 BC, and since that time, it has reached its current uses through various eras such as the Roman Empire, the Spartans, and the Chinese dynasties.

The first signs of steel production can be related to the blacksmiths of the 13th century; Blacksmiths who discovered for the first time, by reducing the percentage of carbon in iron, this material becomes more resistant and durable.

Craftsmen in ancient India used steel to make blades, spears and swords. Because in this type of steel materials called wootz are used, it is also called wootz steel. In the past, Vutz steel was used in the manufacture of all kinds of weapons because it was sharp and resistant. This steel is also called Damascus steel.

China is known as a mass producer of steel. Most likely, during this period of time in China, they used techniques similar to the Bessemer process (we will talk more about this process later) that became popular in Europe in the 19th century. Examples of quality steel production in China can be related to the second century BC; But its mass production began in the third century AD.

The use of Damascus steel was developed in the Middle East in the 11th century and was mostly used to make sword blades. Damascus blades were produced in the Near East from steel ingots imported from India and Sri Lanka. The products produced were famous for their ability to shave very sharp edges and resist breaking.

In the Middle Ages in South Asia, a type of steel called bothai steel was discovered. This type of steel was more brittle than today's steel; But it was used in some applications such as making tools. By the 12th century, Sri Lanka was the world's largest supplier of buthai steel.

In the 17th century, the properties of iron were clear to everyone, but the increasing urbanization in Europe increased the need for the metal, and in the 19th century, metallurgists began to think about the supply of iron needed for the expansion of railways. The problem of iron fragility and inefficient production processes should have been solved.

In the 17th century, the properties of iron were clear to everyone, but the increasing urbanization in Europe increased the need for the metal, and in the 19th century, metallurgists began to think about the supply of iron needed for the expansion of railways. The problem of iron fragility and inefficient production processes should have been solved.

Coke was first used in the smelting of iron ore in large quantities and later replaced wood and charcoal. It can be said that this event was a new beginning for the production of steel.
One of the oldest types of steel is stainless steel, whose production began in Germany and England in the 17th century. With the help of this type of steel, by increasing the amount of carbon in iron, molten cast iron is produced using a process called cementation (hydrometallurgy). They are covered warmly. After about a week, the iron absorbs the carbon in the charcoal.
Reheating distributes the carbon evenly and finally after cooling, stainless steel is obtained.
More carbon causes Stainless steel production becomes more efficient. The obtained steel is more suitable than cast iron and has the ability to roll and compress.

Year 1712

Thomas Newcomen built the first successful commercial steam engine. And steel led the industry towards the industrial revolution.

Year 1740

Bothai steel technique, which we mentioned the first use above, was developed by the English inventor named Benjamin Huntsman. Stainless steel production expanded in the 1740s; When English watchmaker Benjamin Huntsman was trying to produce quality steel for his watch springs, he discovered that the metal could be melted in clay crucibles and treated with a special flux to remove the ash left behind by the cementation process.

This led to the creation of liquid steel or casting operations. But due to the high production costs, both stainless steel and cast steel were used only in specialized projects.

In 1779

Power flowed through the steel mills, meaning they no longer needed to use water and started rolling steel in other ways. By looking at the history of steel production and examining the different stages, it can be understood that with the use of new methods, the steel production process became more efficient than before.

Year 1783

Henry Cort (Henry Cort), a person from England, invented the steel roller to produce metals. Blacksmiths then discovered how to turn pig iron into a low-carbon wrought iron using puddling furnaces (developed by Henri Cort in 1784). The long and coarse tools allow the oxygen to combine with the carbon and then slowly remove it.
When the carbon in the iron decreases, its melting point increases, so that lumps of iron accumulate in the furnace, these lumps Before they are turned into rolled sheets or rails, they are worked with a blacksmith's hammer.

In 1794

Phillip Vaughn, a Welsh inventor, patented a bearing design to support the axle of a carriage.
18th century
In the 18th century, steel as a very important material It was recognized as valuable with many uses. However, its production was very expensive and it was produced in special applications such as the production of armor, tools and weapons. 1813 English engineer Henry Bessemer was born on January 19, 1813. Let's get to that later.

Year 1830

Little by little, steel machines were used in the agricultural industry.

Year 1855
< The Bessemer process was introduced. The Bessemer process was the first inexpensive industrial process for mass production of steel from molten iron before the development of open furnace production. In this method, impurities were removed from iron through oxidation. The less impurity, the stronger the steel.

More familiarity with the Bessemer process and subsequent events in the production of steel

In 1860, more than 3000 puddling furnaces were built in Britain. Was; But this process was postponed due to the lack of labor and the reduction of fuel intensity. As a result, cast iron made in puddling furnaces remained the main metal in English industry throughout the 19th century.

Cast iron is a strong metal; But due to the presence of carbon in it, it is brittle and brittle, and it is not suitable for rolling and shaping metal. When metallurgists realized that the high carbon content in iron makes it brittle, they tested new methods to reduce the amount of carbon and increase its efficiency.