Steels environmental effects

Compared with ferritic carbon and low-alloy steels, relatively little information is available in the literature concerning stainless steels or nickel-base alloys. From the preceding section concerning low-alloy steels in high temperature aqueous environments, where environmental effects depend critically on water chemistry and dissolution and repassivation kinetics when protective oxide films are ruptured, it can be anticipated that this factor would be of even more importance for more highly alloyed corrosion-resistant materials. 

W. J. Shack, T. F. Kassner, Review of environmental effects of fatigue crack growth of austenitic stainless steels. Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Supt. of Docs, U.S. G.P.O. [distributor], Washington, DC, 1994. 

Iron comprises approximately 4.7% of the Earth s crust. The enormous quantities of this metal in the earth core are prerequisite for the magnetic field that shields the planet from cosmic radiation and enables life. The ubiquitous availability of iron and its ability to adjust its oxidation state, redox potential and electron spin state makes it suited to participate in a large number of chemical reactions. Thus, iron has become essential for animals, plants, fungi and most bacteria, ivhere it functions in a ivide variety of iron-dependent enzymes and metal proteins. To avoid deficiency symptoms, mechanisms have evolved in these organisms to maintain iron homeostasis in situations of scarce supply, but also to avoid oxidative stress as mediated by Fenton chemistry ivhen supply is excessive. In industry, iron is used in over 2500 varieties of steel, each with different physical properties. In fact, annual steel production is almost as high as that of all other metals combined hence the environmental effects of iron must also be considered. 

The foundry industry is a major player in the recycling of metals. Steel, cast iron and alirminiirm scrap can all be remelted into new products. The possible negative environmental effects of foundries result from the presence of a thermal process and the use of mineral additives. The environmental effects of a foimdry process therefore mainly relate to the exhaust and off-gases and to the re-use or disposal of mineral residues. 

Reinforced concrete deteriorates with time due to corrosion of the steel reinforcement and environmental effects on the concrete, excessive loading due to earthquakes and wind, coupled with increased loads on, say bridges, due to heavy traffic. These situations necessitate repairs. When steel had been used previously, there were a number of attendant drawbacks such as increased weight of steel—the steel plates had to be welded together—and there was considerable increase in overall thickness due to the protective jacket of concrete. 

Keller M, Steel CC, Creasy GL (2000) Stilbene accumulation in grapevine tissues developmental and environmental effects. In Bodson M, Verfioyen MNJ (eds) XXV International Horticultural Congress, part 4 culture techniques with special emphasis on environmental implications Acta horticulturae, 1st edn. ISHS Acta Horticulturae 514, Brussels... 

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