Factory & Manufacturing

Factory & Manufacturing

 

How steel is manufactured plays a central role in determining the strength and durability of steel. This is because as steel is being manufactured (carbon and other elements are added to iron ore) microstructures form and change, determining the final properties of the steel. 

These microstructures are like tiny arrangements of atoms and crystals that develop based on how the steel is processed, cooled, and treated. The size, shape, and distribution of these microstructures directly influence the steel’s strength, durability, and other characteristics.

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Quonset Arch Panel Production

Quonset Arch Panel Production

Steel production is a three-part process: 

  1. Primary steelmaking – Iron ore and other ingredients are gathered and put into a furnace
  2. Refinement – Impurities and gasses are removed from the newly formed steel
  3. Steel is cast/formed – Molten steel is made into the final product for use through casting and forming. 

Precision Cold Rolled Steel

Cold rolling is a steel processing method that strengthens and refines steel by changing its shape without heat. Using mechanical stress, the steel’s crystalline structure is permanently altered to be up to 20% stronger, have a better surface finish, and provide more precise size tolerances. Cold-rolled steel is preferred for commercial applications such as construction, automotive, and appliances.

Recycled Steel

Steel can be recycled an unlimited number of times because impurities that may be present are removed during the refinement process, resulting in recycled steel being just as good as new steel. Special electrical arc furnaces are used to begin the recycling process. This significantly reduces the carbon footprint of steel because it bypasses the need for primary steel-making with iron ore and carbon. 

Protective Coating

Our factory uses the thickest anti-corrosive coating of Galvalume Plus, AZ60. This most advanced form of Galvalume provides superior protection against the surrounding environment while also being water-based and dry to the touch. During the final part of steel production, this protective coating is added using a chem coater and can protect the steel for 50 years. 

Factory Building Warranty Information

Factory Building Warranty Information

Every eligible SteelMaster Quonset building sold comes with a 50-year warranty, providing a guarantee to stand behind our product and peace of mind throughout the lifespan of the building.

Not all steel building or Quonset companies offer 50-year warranties for one simple reason: they don’t believe in their product enough to make that promise.

Many steel building companies use inferior materials or cut corners in production.

  • Galvalume typically has a lifetime guarantee of 40 years, while Galvalume Plus provides a 50 year warranty
  • Lower-grade steel like 40 or 60-grade is used instead of 80-grade steel.
  • Standard steel production methods are used and not optimized for construction-grade steel.

Although it’s not required by law, written warranties that come with most major purchases bring major peace of mind. If the company you’re purchasing from does not offer a warranty or has an extremely limited warranty, it’s hard to know what you’re getting into if you ever need support for your product.

There are several ways to minimize problems when it comes to warranties:

  • Read the entire warranty. Understand exactly what protection the warranty gives you, as some uses or locations are excluded. Print it out when you make your purchase and keep it with your records.
  • Consider the reputation of the company offering the warranty. If you’re not familiar with a business, look them up on credible sites like the Better Business Bureau to see if they have any unresolved complaints against the company. A warranty is only as good as the company that stands behind it. 
  • Use the product according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Abuse or misuse of the product may void your warranty coverage.
What To Look For In A Prefab Quonset Company

What To Look For In A Prefab Quonset Company

Because prefabricated Quonset huts come ready to assemble, the need for the factory to produce precise steel panels is that much more important. Low-quality manufacturers will produce sub-quality steel with imprecise gapping and drill holes. Not only does a building not last as long, but it can also be more difficult to assemble when pieces don’t perfectly fit together.

In addition to providing quality products, fabricators should have high safety standards to ensure the safety of their employees. To ensure the safety of steel factory workers, managers can spend time on the shop floor to observe practices, hold formal training programs, and conduct third-party safety audits.

Are you working with a quality Quonset manufacturer?

When making a big purchase like a building, always review a company’s website thoroughly and compare it with the alternatives. “Cheap” buildings will cut corners at the factory leaving you to pay the ultimate price with a flimsy final product.

 

There are a few things to look for while doing your initial project research:

Transparency

Do they have detailed building engineering and manufacturing information on their website?

Expertise

Have they been involved in any major building projects?

Reviews

Do they have good Google reviews and are in good standing with the BBB?

Longevity

How long have they been in business?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it important for the factory to use SAE/AISI steel grades?

Yes, construction-grade steel designed for decades of use should have SAE/AISI steel grades matching your engineering blueprints. These grades ensure the durability and ductility of the steel.

In the early 1940’s the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) came up with a coding system for the classification of different types of steel.

AISI/SAE Steel Designation System uses four digits to designate the chemical composition of carbon and alloy steels. The first two digits determine the type of material, while the second two digits determine the amount of carbon in steel.

The creation of the code has proven beneficial to help designers, heat treaters, draftsmen, and engineers get specific information on the type of steel, as well as its grades.

Does minimum or nominal gauge steel from the factory matter for ordering?

Steel can be supplied with either minimum or nominal thickness tolerances, depending on your building requirements.

One major advantage of working directly with a steel mill is the ability to specify whether your steel is produced to minimum or nominal thickness.

  • Minimum Thickness Orders:
    • The under-tolerance is always zero, meaning the steel will never be thinner than specified.
    • Over-tolerance is determined by ASTM A924, the industry standard for metallic-coated steel sheets.
  • Nominal Thickness Orders:
    • The total tolerance range (under and over) is evenly split, per ASTM A924 guidelines.

Steel using minimum thickness ensures the material is rolled as close as possible to the specified minimum without falling below. For structural integrity and long-term durability, it’s crucial to source steel from a supplier that uses minimum-thickness coil steel—this guarantees your building meets performance and safety requirements.

Can Steel Be Sustainably Produced?

Steel is already the most recyclable material in the world, and manufacturers are continuously improving its sustainability. This means getting ready for significant long-term environmental and social trends that are evolving.

It also means outlining what factories need to continue research to produce innovative steel products and solutions while maintaining exceptional operational standards.

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