American Iron and Steel Institute

Abstract Energy efficiency in manufacturing processes has become a critical issue for the industry, so a worldwide effort is being made to improve energy efficiency in all manufacturing activities. Also, manufacturers are concerned about being competitive worldwide, so a decrease in production times is required without affecting the quality of products. Therefore, there are studies to characterize energy efficiency and surface roughness in manufacturing processes. Such studies have been mainly applied to conventional processes, such as for example, turning or milling. However, studies in unconventional manufacturing processes remain absent. The main objective of this work is to optimize cutting factors in Wire Electric Discharge Machining, such as Pulse on time (Ton), Pulse off time (Toff), servo voltage (SV), wire tension (WT), wire-speed (WS), and voltage (V), in order to reduce energy consumption and improve surface roughness, both separate and as a whole. The experiments were carried out according to Taguchi's L27 (6³) approach. AISI D2 steel was used as the material to be machined. As a result of the study, the optimal factors that reduce energy consumption are Ton (16µs), Toff (11µs), SV (44V), WT (50g), WS (70dm/min), and V (9V). Furthermore, the optimal factors that improve the surface roughness are Ton (10µs), Toff (11µs), SV (44V), WT (30g), WS (70dm/min), and V (5V). Finally, to reduce energy consumption and improve the surface roughness, the optimal values are Ton (10µs), Toff (11µs), SV (44V), WT (50g), WS (70dm/min), and V (9V). This methodology has been tested and validated on a SODICK VZ300L.

The use of steel–concrete composite construction began around 1926. During recent years, composite design has been widely applied in building construction. For steel-deck-reinforced composite slabs, the cold-formed steel deck serves in four ways. It acts as a permanent form for the concrete, provides a working platform for the various trades, provides the slab reinforcing for positive bending, and provides bracing for the steel frame by acting as a diaphragm. The placement of the steel deck is done in a fraction of the time required for wood forming, so it is no surprise that wood has been replaced in steel-framed building construction. In building construction, one of the economical types of roof and floor construction is to combine the steel-deck-reinforced slab with the supporting steel beams or girders as a composite system.

Steel is produced from either primary iron (iron ore), secondary iron (scrap) or a mixture of both. The Utility of Stock hypothesis, which assumes that the in-use stock of constructional material is a function of GDP, was formulated and the clear correlation between the world steel stock and the GDP led to the estimation that the world demand for primary iron (iron ore) depends not on the volume of GDP but on the variation of GDP, as already reported. In this study, the world consumption of scrap (secondary iron) is computed, and the relationship between the crude steel production and the flow of primary and secondary iron is analyzed. It becomes clear that the flow of primary iron has the controlling effect on the world production of crude steel.

<div class="htmlview paragraph">This paper presents the International Iron and Steel Industry (IISI) Policy on LCA and describes how it has been applied to a major international project to produce life cycle inventory data for a wide range of steel industry products. This project was the first of its kind, having been conducted on a global scale. The resulting LCI data sets are used within the steel industry. An example of benchmarking is presented. The results are also provided to steel customers and other external audiences carrying out LCA studies, following an original procedure aimed at providing assistance and follow up.</div>

<div class="htmlview paragraph">The ULSAB-Advanced Vehicle Concepts Program is focused on the development of steel applications for vehicles to be produced beginning in the year 2004. A “holistic” total vehicle development approach will be applied, including styling, package, closures, suspension, etc. The understanding of the interactions of all vehicle subsystems, their optimization in respect to size, mass, and performance, will lead the program to an optimized steel intensive vehicle concept. Benchmarking will provide the data for building the basis of the target setting, after which the program target will be established and guidelines for the design will be created. The ULSAB-AVC Program concentrates on the design of two size lightweight vehicles: One size fitting in the most popular European C-class (so-called Golf class); and the second size similar to the North American PNGV class (Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles<span class="xref">*</span>). Both will share as many components as possible with the goal to reduce total vehicle mass, energy consumption and, hence environmental emissions.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The overall ULSAB-AVC Program objective is to demonstrate that steel offers solutions for future vehicle developments and to communicate those solutions to OEMs and their customers. Essential targets will be set to meet this objective, which demonstrate the innovative use of steel in automotive applications and can provide a wide range of functional and societal benefits.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">These benefits are:</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph"> <ul class="list disc"> <li class="list-item"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Safety through design and material selection</div> </li> <li class="list-item"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Inherent affordability through modern manufacturing technologies and low cost of ownership including ease of repair</div> </li> <li class="list-item"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Environmental responsibility through energy, resource efficiency and complete recyclability</div> </li> <li class="list-item"><div class="htmlview paragraph">High volume production through both established and innovative manufacturing techniques</div> </li> </ul> </div>

Abstract Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a means to analyze the environmental implications of product and service systems. As defined by international standards, the framework of LCA includes four distinct elements. The elements are goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory analysis, life cycle impact assessment, and life cycle interpretation. Although the LCA elements are at different stages of development, increased interest in the use of LCA will help fuel advancement of the science.The steel industry is gaining valuable experience in the use of LCA. The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), with members a LCA program in 1994. The program centers on training and education, conducting studies of steel products, participating in LCA projects which include steel, and promoting the development of LCA.The LCA program at AISI has proven to be successful. Over ten AISI member companies are directly participating in the effort, with even more companies represented at training and education events. LCA Projects in which AISI is active include an international steel industry study, a North American auto‐mobile industry benchmark study, and application of LCA to waste management activities.

The diphenylcarbazide colorimetric method was evaluated by analyzing spiked PVC filters prepared by an AIHA-accredited consultant laboratory for chromium (VI). All seven participating laboratories received the samples and performed the analyses at the same time. Three laboratories simultaneously tested three alternative analytical procedures. Reduced amounts of chromium (VI) were found by both the consultant and participating laboratories when using the test procedure and one of the alternative methods. Two of the alternative analytical methods, both of which involve an alkaline extraction procedure, provided higher recoveries and more precise values for the test filters. It appears that the alkaline extraction procedure may be more appropriate for occupational health samples taken in steel industry environments which may include several interferents. Suggestions are made for further studies to determine the most appropriate analytical method.