To close better sales of materials like steel and concrete, there's nothing better than studying them as much as possible: the manufacturing process, the different types, and the ideal option for each project.
Although these products are traditional, the techniques and methods used continue to evolve. Using mixtures of already known elements, alternative construction methods emerge periodically. This is why professionals or companies that want to remain in the market need to refresh their knowledge.
When it comes to steel and concrete, which form a crucial combination in all types of projects, it's crucial to have a basic understanding. So, let's now look at some key points and how a good salesperson for these materials should act. Read on to find out!
Besides being very elegant and relatively light, the steel also stands out for resistanceIt can be used in constructions ranging from simple residential projects to more complex structures such as bridges and viaducts. Thus, it has become increasingly versatile and widely used in the construction sector.
When it comes to its use, it's crucial to consider whether it will be exposed or coated. Besides directly influencing the project's budget, this decision also affects architectural and moisture-related aspects.
Some of the most common types of steel are as follows:
It is important to note that steels are classified according to several criteria, such as composition, application and geometry. In this other post you can check out more details about it!
In general, it is possible to say that there are two main processes for steel manufacturingThe first, which is the most commonly used, involves developing molten iron in a blast furnace. The second involves transforming it into an oxygen converter. Let's learn about both!
Each ferrous metal is produced by reducing iron ores inside blast furnaces. Ore, limestone (flux), and coke (coal) are loaded into the upper part.
Hot air is blown into the lower part of the blast furnace. Another important detail is that burning coke produces heat and carbon monoxide, which are responsible for reducing the iron oxide and transforming it into molten iron.
In turn, the limestone converts the coke dust and gangue (an earthy mineral) into molten slag. Still at the bottom of the furnace, the iron-carbon alloy and slag are periodically drained. Meanwhile, the furnace continues to operate.
The product of this entire blast furnace operation is called cast iron, or pig iron. It's an iron alloy with a very high carbon and impurity content. From there, some of the pig iron is remelted to produce commercial cast iron—the majority is effectively transformed into steel.
This step serves to refine the cast iron into steel. To do this, excess carbon must be removed and impurities minimized, within the limits previously defined by those responsible for this activity.
After the first stage of pig iron production in the blast furnace, the process of refining this material is carried out in the oxygen converter.
During this process, oxygen is injected into the liquid pig iron mass. The injected air burns the carbon into carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). This transformation stage takes an average of 15 to 20 minutes.
In addition to this procedure of removing excess carbon, other materials, such as silicon, manganese and phosphorus, are oxidized and combined with other items, such as lime and iron oxide, to generate the slag that floats on top of the molten steel.
It is important to note that the steelmaking process via an oxygen converter generates a purer product, capable of meeting the most demanding market specifications.
In addition to these two traditional forms of steel production, other processes can be mentioned:
Concrete can even be manufactured on-site, making it a material capable of taking on a wide range of shapes and sizes. Because of this, and also because it's highly resistant, it's so widely used in construction.
There are many types of concrete, ranging from conventional to machined. Let's learn a little about each of them.
Concrete is considered prestressed when a technique is applied in which high-strength cables are applied inside the concrete structures — called anchoring.
This method is highly recommended for spaces with large spans. The downside is that the process is expensive and requires specialized labor.
It's so called because it has a lower density compared to the traditional model. It is obtained by replacing some components of the original material with lighter items. civil construction, is generally used in paving and slabs.
This type of concrete is obtained through the inclusion of items that quickly guarantee great resistance to the material.
This is very important in cases where urgent work needs to be accelerated without risking damage to structures.
It basically consists of a mixture of cement, water, aggregates, and additives, produced in a concrete plant and delivered to the construction site. It is also known as ready-mix concrete, plant-batch concrete, or ready-mix concrete.
One of its benefits is the predictability of high strength, especially in relation to concrete made directly on site.
Self-compacting concrete (or SCC) is a model that fills forms by itself — that is, there is no need for vibration or external compaction.
It is applied in situations that require high fluidity, such as concreting in precast, reinforced, high-relief structures and finishes in which the concrete is visible.
Also known by the acronym CAD, high-performance concrete is used in constructions requiring high strength and durability. To achieve this, it uses additives that reduce porosity and permeability.
Rolled concrete is used as a base for structures such as dams, floors, and parking lots. Compaction is achieved using a steamroller.
One interesting fact is that cellular concrete is lighter than the traditional type. However, there are also differences when considering other lightweight types: cellular concrete contains foam.
There is also reinforced concrete and it deserves special attention because it combines concrete with steel.
With metal bars inside, this type of construction material is widely used because it can combine significant compression, resistance, and tensile stress. Interestingly, it's often used in skyscrapers.
To choose the right concrete for a project, you need to consider the structure's purpose, the concrete's fluidity, and the material's strength. Learn more about each criterion!
For flooring, for example, the most recommended material is high-strength concrete — such as C25 or a higher version.
For slabs, it is important to consider the relationship between concrete strength and surface thickness.
The fluidity of concrete is measured in centimeters, in a procedure also known as slump. The higher the slump index, the more fluid the concrete must be.
Therefore, it's worth researching the fluidity level required for each project. It's worth remembering that very fluid concrete is not recommended for ramps or stairs.
The most fluid concretes, such as self-compacting concrete, are those that have high plasticity and spread more easily. They are used in projects such as slabs, sidewalks, precast structures, and facades.
Concrete strength is a fundamental criterion to take into account, as it ensures that the structure has the necessary solidity to support the weight of the building developed.
On our list, the strongest concrete is high-performance concrete, CAD. We can also mention the high-strength concrete (HSR). HSR is recommended for projects requiring greater mechanical strength, while CAD is recommended for projects requiring strength and durability.
In addition to these criteria, it's important to study the specific characteristics of each model. Therefore, consider:
After discussing a little more about steel and concrete, and how these elements can contribute to the construction of stronger, more elegant and consistent structures, it is time to reinforce some negotiation techniques.
The first step is to ensure the salesperson understands the material they're offering. Knowing how to respond to questions about applications, such as rebar and coils, is essential for those presenting the products.
Providing guidance on how to store materials is another important point to make sales and build customer loyaltyGood communication is also essential, as is a correct understanding of the store's internal processes.
Lastly, but also most importantly, it's important to remember that a good salesperson knows their suppliers well. Therefore, in addition to directing the customer to the solution they need, they must be able to accurately explain the differences between each option available to the consumer.
Now that you've learned about the important characteristics of steel and concrete, including their costs, applications, benefits, and innovations, you'll be able to recommend quality products to your clients with much greater confidence and confidence. This way, they can manage their projects with greater peace of mind, respecting the specific characteristics of each project.
To ensure the strength and durability of your clients' projects, it's essential to work with quality, market-recognized suppliers. Therefore, check out the Grupo Aço Cearense product catalog!
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