Summer Reading for Success in the Metals Industries

Andrew Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and became one of the richest Americans in history. He is quoted as saying: “It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone.”

We won’t say that we can help you do a better job, but we can help you understand some of the technologies that can be used in your job. I recently came across the article The Reading Habits of Ultra-Successful People which noted that ultra-successful people read a lot. The article quoted the ultra-successful businessman Warren Buffett who was once asked about the key to success. According to the article, he pointed to a stack of nearby books and said, “Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”

So add to your summer reading list (or winter if you are not in the Northern hemisphere), and download some of these free ebooks to learn more about technologies used in the metals industries. They are much shorter than 500 pages — more like 25 or 30 pages — but it’s a great way to build up your knowledge of the technologies used in the industry.

A Practical Guide to Improving Steel Manufacturing Processes and Production Methods
Download our free eBook to learn about various technologies and products that improve each stage of the steel manufacturing production process to help you manufacture clean steel that meets the most stringent customer requirements. With efficiency and sustainability in mind, steel producers also strive to produce quality strip in a manner that maximizes mill yield and minimizes scrap while meeting stringent customer specifications for thickness, width, hardness, and strength. Whether you’re producing steel from iron ore or scrap, and your end product is several inch-thick slabs or galvanized sheet less than a millimetre thick, this ebook introduces technologies that will help improve each stage of the steel manufacturing production process, from incoming raw materials to the final coating line.

A Guide to PGNAA and PFTNA Technology for Non-Scientists
Online elemental analyzers based on PGNAA or PFTNA technology can help help the iron ore sintering process in steel manufacturing. An analyzer for sinter measures sinter feed chemistry on-line and provides high-frequency (minute-by-minute or less) compositional analysis data to enable control of basicity in real time. Sinter quality begins with the proper selection and mixing of the raw materials. Inhomogeneous raw mix can affect permeability and cause an increase in fuel consumption. Online analysis of ores, concentrates and various raw materials allows accurate high frequency process control to reduce process upsets, increase throughput and maintain quality all while extending mine life. Our ebook explains how PGNAA and PFTNA technologies work, in an easy-to-understand manner.
XRF in the Field
XRF (X-ray fluorescence) is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials, including in metal alloy analysis, identification, and testing — all of which are important to the scrap metal recycling industry, precious metals market, manufacturing quality, and positive material identification (PMI). Wrong or out-of-specification metal alloys can lead to premature and potentially catastrophic part failures. Portable XRF analyzers are indispensable tools for performing PMI of incoming raw materials, work in progress, and final quality assurance of finished parts. Written by an expert in XRF techniques and applications, our eBook explains the technology in an easy-to-understand manner, including: the basics of XRF and how it works, benefits of XRF, strengths and limitations of portable analyzers, and applications of portable XRF technology.
LIBS Technology for Non-Scientists
LIBS technology is used to validate Material Test Reports (MTRs) prior to adding value during the fabrication process, for quality control and quality assurance (QA/ QC) of outgoing finished goods, for fast and accurate sorting of low alloy steel grades, for enhanced separation of stainless steel grades based on carbon, and for positive material identification of welds and pipelines. Want to learn how LIBS technology works? Download the eBook to discover the science behind laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Developed by our team of experts, you’ll learn what businesses can benefit from portable LIBS, how the technology works, and what to look for when purchasing a LIBS analyzer- plus much more!

Happy reading to more success.