structural steel from scrap OK? 3

[beautifulhills]

We have a project for two story structures, with full engineering design for the structure in
W6 x 12
W6 x 16.
W8 x 15.
W10 x 19.
W12 x 22 placed horizontally
HSS2 x 2x 3/16”
HSS 2 x 2 x ¼.
HSS 4 x 4 x ¼.
HSS 4 x 6 x1/4
HSS 6 x 4 x ¼
placed vertically

The current plans prescribe
THE STRUCTURAL STEEL SHALL CONFORM TO THE FOLLOWING:
A. STRUCTURAL W SHAPES: ASTM A992 OR EQUIVALENT, GRADE 50, HAVING A MINIMUM YIELD STRENGTH OF 50 KSI, UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE. B. RECTANGULAR HSS SECTIONS: ASTM A500 GRADE C HAVING A MINIMUM YIELD STRENGTH OF 50 KSI OR EQUIVALENT
As everyone reading this knows, plans are subject to change, amendment and refinement

We have found a mini mill which from several reports will be using scrap as the source for their new mill. They're early in the mill build process, and it's difficult to get data from them (3rd world etc)

Is it likely we could use these sections and columns in our two story structure (with modification of the plans if necessary)?

 

[BrianPetersen]

Why should it matter what their source is, as long as the end product meets specifications?

 

[Jboggs]

Are you willing to bet your future and your reputation on that source?

Can they PROVE that the steel used IN THIS PROJECT meets ALL specifications?

Will that proof stand up in a court of law?

Are you creating evidence a plaintiff's attorney could use by even asking this question on an internet forum?

 

[JStephen]

A large part of the steel produced comes from the melting of scrap, and that is not a negative against the mill, nor does it negatively impact the quality of products produced.

 

[weldstan]

Almost all, if not all mini mills, produce steel form melting scrap. As long as it meets the material specification requirements, it's not a problem. Furthermore fully integrated steel mills use some scrap (most self generated) in steel production.

 

[MintJulep]

I'd think that a much bigger project risk is ordering steel from a mill that does not exist yet.

You have no assurance and no control of the mill's ability to come into existence successfully start production to support your schedule.

 

[EdStainless]

The delivery risk is greater than the steel quality risk.
The definition of a mini-mill is that they use and EAF to melt scrap, they don't work from blast furnace.

Remember, regardless of where in the world the supplier is there is no ASTM Police, as the purchaser you are the one that enforces specification compliance. Weigh the cost and effort of the risk of a supplier cheating vs the cost and effort of auditing and inspecting suppliers.


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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[beautifulhills]

THANK YOU all for the input, wide ranging. My hope has been confirmed, that this is an acceptable way of making i beams h beams. Agreed, the mill coming on line may be a risk - I sense it will be a timing one where there will possibly be delays. In the meantime we will buy steel from our existing source. It's not practical to get everything into what would then be an overly long question however these structures we will own, rather than for sale. I see (anecdotally) Arcellor state they use 12% scrap in their steel production process - they are not more specific. Again, thanks for the useful inputs.

 

[weldstan]

When purchasing from a new mill, do review its QA System, its chemical analysis capabilities and verification of results with international standards and witness mechanical tests and dimensional measurements.

 

[BUGGAR]

If you will weld, can you get an accurate chemical analysis of what is in the steel for welding qualifications? Will you need Charpy's? I don't think the steel mill matters as much as the test lab.