stålene

Stålene are iron‑based alloys whose main alloying element is carbon, typically ranging from about 0.2% to 2% by weight. They may also contain elements such as chromium, nickel, vanadium, molybdenum, and titanium to tailor strength, hardness, ductility, and wear resistance. The stålene class includes carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel. Stainless steels are distinguished by a chromium content of at least about 10.5%, which provides corrosion resistance.

They are produced by refining molten iron with recycled scrap in a steelmaking furnace. The two dominant production routes are the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) and the electric arc furnace (EAF). After melting, targeted amounts of alloying elements are added, and the alloy is cast into slabs, billets, or blooms, which are then rolled and processed into final products such as plates, bars, tubes, and sheets.

The properties of stålene depend on carbon content, alloying, and heat treatment. Higher carbon increases strength and hardness but can reduce ductility. Heat treatments such as annealing, normalizing, quenching, and tempering tailor the microstructure for applications ranging from structural components to wear parts. Common categories include carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel, with tool steel designed for cutting and forming, and structural steel used in construction.

Historically, steelmaking evolved from ironworking in antiquity to modern mass production, with methods such as the Bessemer process and open-hearth furnaces giving way to BOF and EAF technologies. Today, steel is among the most recycled materials, with scrap metal a primary feedstock, contributing to energy efficiency and sustainability.