Steel - Its Inception And Where It Is Today

Steel  is an alloy that is made of a mixture of mainly iron and 0.2% to 2.1% carbon. The production of iron plays a major role in the process of making steel. Carbon in turn is the alloying material used for alloying iron. Chromium, manganese, tungsten and vanadium are the few other materials used to alloy iron. The varying use of a mixture of these materials results in different types of steel with varied properties such as hardness and ductility which are required for different applications in multiple industries. An alloy that possesses carbon content in iron which is more than 2.1% is called cast iron and not steel. Cast iron has other purposes in the industry because of its lower melting point and enhanced castability.

Steel although first produced somewhere around 1400 BC was not easily available because the procedure which was used to produce steel was rather difficult to follow and control which made it uneconomical. But later in the mid eighteen hundreds with the invention of the Bessemer process, by Henry Bessemer, it finally became economically viable and hence the production and demand of steel increased greatly. The Linz-Donawitz process of basic oxygen steel making again made steel much easier to produce and was more economical resulting in an even wider demand for steel. The increased craving for steel at that time lied in steel’s properties of resisting rust which was much better than other metals. Steel also had better weldibility along with being easier to produce than other metals which had such properties.

Hence steel became a popular with industries that were in those days using wrought metal as the metal of choice for building tools, machinery and other equipment. Steel manufacturing today is much different and has changed leaps and bounds compared to the techniques used in the 1800s.The modern steel electric arc furnaces (EAF) have made steel production dependent more on the availability of cheap electricity, than the mining of iron ore because the furnaces being highly productive use large amounts of electricity. Today there have been vast improvements in the field of mining as well as in the production equipment. Steel industries in the Middle East and all over the world have increased the production of steel to 1,413.5 mmt in 2010, which is widely used from the enormous building and constructions projects, to the ship building industry to the automotive industry and even in day to day electronics and appliances. 

Global Trust Enterprises is a general trading company in Dubai which caters to the primary needs of the oil, gas and petrochemical companies in the Middle East and North Africa region. They supply a wide variety of products such as chemicals, equipment and lubricants and greases to their clients which consist of the “who is who” of the petrochemical, steel, aluminum and infrastructure industry. To know more about Global Trust Enterprises kindly visit their website at www.globaltrustenterprises.com

Image Credit: vdc-tonckehocevar.com

Nylon Its Creation And Applications

Created during World War II to replace the silk which was used in World War II parachutes, this synthetic polymer unlike others was designed for the purpose and then used in multiple applications. During World War II the production of silk including trade routes to silk producing countries had diminished leading to silk becoming extremely expensive for the properties that it offered which is why nylon was produced by Wallace Carothers at the DuPont Experimental Station.

Worldwide demand for nylon grew immediately after it was created and even more after the War ended. The new found applications of nylon were endless and moreover it could be extensively modified for multiple applications in different industries, which is why today there are many forms of nylon available.

The most widely applied form of nylon refers to nylon 6,6 which consists of hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid. These chemicals give nylon 6,6 excellent abrasion resistance, a higher melting point and a rather compressed molecular structure.

Having such a great combination of chemicals gives nylon 6,6 a variety of characteristics such as being able to create it in a more lustrous or even dull form as per the requirement or its resistance to insects, fungi, mould, and even its ability to be resilient under severe stress. Such outstanding characteristics and being able to produce it economically make nylon a great polymer to be used in a wide variety of textiles and plastics. It has been used in making apparel, airbags, tires, ropes, hoses and much more. Solid nylon is used for a wide variety of mechanical and electronic components mainly for those that are not stressed heavily.

With vast industrial, commercial and everyday uses the demand for nylon in manufacturing is enormous. Global Trust Enterprises a general trading company in the Middle East is a distributor for large variety of industrial polymers in Dubai including nylon 6,6 polyamides from renowned brands such as DuPont, BASF and many more. They have a strong global network which enables them to make “just in time” deliveries at the most competitive prices. To know more about Global Trust Enterprises kindly visit their website at: www.globaltrustenterprises.com

Image Credit: meojbiz.com

Isododecane - It's Creation And Uses

Isododecane is a specialty oligomer which contains a mixture of highly branched C12 isoparaffins and mainly the 2, 2, 4, 6, 6-pentamethylheptane isomer. It is a chemical best suited for applications which calls for stringent demands in terms of purity and chemical stability. Isododecane is used for such applications because it is synthetic due to which it is in effect, free of aromatics, sulphur containing molecules and polar compounds.

Produced by a patented process from a pre-purified isobutene (branched C4) containing feedstock, Isododecane is used extensively for the most reactive (short half life) peroxide catalysts such as diacylperoxides and peroxy diesters. Isododecane is mainly used as either a solvent or as a dispersing agent for high reactivity organic peroxide catalysts in the polymerization process.

Isododecane is utilized in multiple forms in different applications, the most important of which is the production of polymer films. LDPE or Low Density Polyethylene is extensively produced around the world and is used for major food packaging applications. Isododecane is free of all aromatic and naphthenic molecules, which ensures that the finished LDPE film remains odor free. With the ability to with stand temperatures of about 80 degrees continuously, this film can be created in translucent and opaque varieties which can be flexible and tough but eventually breakable. LDPE is used for manufacturing various types of plastic containers, plastic bottles, packaging bags for computer components and a variety of molded laboratory paraphernalia.

Global Trust Enterprises FZCO is one of the most trusted general trading companies in Dubai and in the Middle East. They are also one of the leading distributors of INEOS products in the Middle East region. Apart from industrial chemicals, they also deal in equipments and spare parts as well as lubricants and greases with an extremely large list of products brought in by world’s most renowned manufacturers. To know more about Global Trust Enterprises, kindly visit their website at www.globaltrustenterprises.com

Image Credit: easychinasupply.com

Lubricants And Their Key Functions

A lubricant is a substance often in a liquid form, introduced between two moving surfaces to reduce the friction between them, improving efficiency and reducing wear. A lubricant is oil based and almost all types of machinery require the use of lubricants in order to function properly. Lubricants reduce direct metal to metal contact and protect the machinery parts against wear and corrosion for a long lasting performance. Lubricants are used widely in sectors like construction, agriculture, transport, petrochemical industries, oil & gas industries, etc.

Let’s check out some of key functions performed by lubricants:

•    Keeps moving parts apart: Lubricants are typically used to separate moving parts in a system or a machine by forming a thin layer between the moving parts. This helps to reduce friction, and heat generation while delivering less noise and vibrations.

•    Reduces friction: Another key point of using a lubricant is that it reduces friction within the system or machinery. It contains certain additives known as friction modifiers that chemically bind to metal surfaces to reduce surface friction and improve efficiency.

•    Removes contaminants and debris: This is one of the most important advantages of using a lubricant. Machines that regularly generate debris and contaminants such as automotive engines use a lubricant which easily removes and filters those particles out of the system.

•     Protection against wear and corrosion: Lubricants contain anti-wear or extreme pressure additives that boost their performance against wear, fatigue and corrosion.

There are about 3 types of lubricants in general, biolubricants, the ones that are made from vegetable oils and other animal and plant sources, synthetic oils which are developed and well engineered for the demanding applications they are used in and finally dry lubricants such as Teflon or graphite which are used to reduce friction without the use of a liquid.

Global Trust Enterprises (GTE) is a well renowned general trading company in Dubai which supplies and distributes the best quality lubricants & greases at the most competitive prices. Their extensive experience and large global network of suppliers helps them provide quick deliveries and ensures only the best quality products for their customers.   

For details log onto: www.globaltrustenterprises.com

Image Credit: njtc.co.jp

Polymers, Its Types And Its Uses

A polymer is a large molecule which is held together by a number of repeating structural units obtained through the process of polymerization. In recent years, polymers have gained an increased presence in the chemical industry with their highly defined properties and uses. Polymers are widely used in petrochemical industries, oil & gas companies, steel & aluminum industries, plastic industries, and so on.

Types of Polymers & Its Uses:

1) Polycarbonate: It is a clear plastic used to make shatterproof windows, lightweight eyeglass lenses, and many other items that have lightweight applications. There are two types of polycarbonates, thermoplastic and thermoset. A thermoplastic can be molded in any shape when it is hot whereas a thermoset does not melt, and it cannot be remolded nor recycled. They are used to make things that need to be really strong and heat resistant.

2) Polyethylene: This is probably the polymer that you see and use the most in your day to day routine. Polyethylene is the most popular and widely used plastic in the world. It is used to make items like grocery bags, shampoo bottles, children's toys, plastic food containers and even bullet proof vests.

3) Polyesters: Polyesters are the polymers, in the form of fibers which are now also made into a fabric. It is used to make normal clothing since polyester is economical. Apart from clothes it is also a plastic, and is often used to make shatterproof bottles that hold your favorite refreshing beverages and drinks.

4) Polystyrene: Polystyrene is an inexpensive and hard plastic commonly used in everyday life. The outside housing of the computer you are using is probably made of polystyrene, as well as the housings of electrical equipment like hairdryers, TVs and kitchen appliances. Model cars and airplanes are made from polystyrene, as well as many other toys. There is also foam packaging and insulation and a lot of molded parts on the inside of your car, like the radio knobs.

Global Trust Enterprises (GTE) is one of the leading suppliers and manufacturers of polymers in Dubai. Apart from polymers, they also supply wide variety of industry chemicals, equipments, lubricants and spare parts to their clients in the Middle East and North Africa. To view their product portfolio kindly visit: www.globaltrustenterprises.com

Image Credit: lps.umd.edu

Acetone A Petrochemical Solvent

Acetone is an organic solvent with the formula (CH3)2CO. It is a clear, colorless, mobile and flammable liquid with a variety of uses in the petrochemical industry, the laboratory, pharmaceuticals and even at home.

Industrial acetone is produced either directly or indirectly from propylene via the Cumene process as a result; acetone production is tied to phenol production. The world annual production of acetone is several millions of tons. It is produced in over 40 different countries and is moved around the globe by chemical manufacturers and distributors.

Acetone being flammable burns very easily which is why it is very important to take great care while storing this solvent. Sunlight should be avoided and must be stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated place and in a securely closed original container.

Acetone is a good solvent for most plastics and synthetic fibers including those used in laboratory bottles made of polystyrene, polycarbonate and some types of polypropylene. It is ideal for thinning fiberglass resin, cleaning fiberglass tools and hardening. It is also used as a volatile component of some paints and varnishes. Acetone is also widely used in medical and cosmetic applications and as a component in food additives and food packaging.  

Global Trust Enterprises, one of the leading general trading companies in Dubai, offers various organic and inorganic solvents including acetone. They cater to the primary needs of the oil, gas and petrochemical manufacturers in the Middle East and North Africa region. They pride themselves on their transparent and long lasting business relations which is clearly visible with their exquisite client list.

For more details log onto www.globaltrustenterprises.com

Image Credit:goiit.com