| Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Steel. . . But Were Afraid to Ask Copyright Michelle Applebaum Research, Inc 2003-2006 All rights reserved. June 2006 |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
P
PEAK EARNINGS
The ultimate earnings level of a company at the top of the business cycle. This is the expected
profit during the time of the highest commodity demand and the strongest product pricing.
****
PELLETS 4
Fine particles of iron ore mixed with bonding clay and roasted into hard round balls for blast
furnace feed.
****
PICKLING
What?
Process that cleans a steel coil of its rust, dirt and oil so that further work can be done to the
metal.
Why?
When hot-rolled coils cool, rust forms on the unprotected metal; often coils are stored or
transported while exposed to outside air and water.
How?
Through a continuous process, the steel is uncoiled and sent through a series of hydrochloric
acid baths that remove the oxides (rust). The steel sheet is then rinsed and dried.
****
PIG IRON
The name for the melted iron produced in a blast furnace, containing a large quantity of carbon
(above 1.5%). Named long ago when molten iron was poured through a trench in the ground to
flow into shallow earthen holes, the arrangement looked like newborn pigs suckling. The
central channel became known as the “sow,” and the molds were “pigs.”
****
PILING (SHEET PILING)
A structural steel product with edges designed to interlock; used in the construction of
cofferdams or riverbank reinforcement.
****
PIPE
Technically a tube is used to transport fluids or gases. However, pipe and tube are often used
interchangeably in steel lexicon, with a given label applied primarily as a matter of historical
use.
****
PIPE THREADING 3
Cutting of threads around the circumference of the pipe.
****
PLATE
Sheet steel with a width of more than eight inches, with a thickness ranging from one quarter of
an inch to more than one foot (see Sheet Steel).
****
POWDER METALS
Fabrication technology in which fine metallic powder is compacted under high pressure and
then heated at a temperature slightly below the melting point to solidify the material. Primary
users of powder metal parts are auto, electronics and aerospace industries.
****
PRECIPITATION HARDENING (PH)
A small group of stainless steels with high chromium and nickel content, with the most
common types having characteristics close to those of martensitic (plain chromium stainless
class with exceptional strength) steels. Heat treatment provides this class with its very high
strength and hardness. Applications for PH stainless steels include shafts for pumps and
valves as well as aircraft parts.
****
PRECISION PLATE SAWING 3
Involves sawing plate (primary aluminum plate products) into square or rectangular shapes to
tolerances as close as 0.003 of an inch.
****
PULVERIZED COAL INJECTION SYSTEM (PCI)
A blast furnace enhancement to reduce an integrated mill’s reliance on coke (because of
environmental problems with its production). Up to 30% of the coke charged into the blast
furnace can be replaced by this talcum-like coal powder, which is injected through nozzles at the
bottom of the furnace.
****
PUNCHING 3
The cutting of holes into carbon steel beams or plates by pressing or welding per customer
specifications.
****
Source: Weirton Steel Glossary
Source: Dofasco Glossary of Terms
Source: Reliance Steel 10-K
Source: BlueScope Steel Glossary of Terms
Source: Allegheny Technologies 10-K
Source: Alcoa 10-K
Source: Alcan 10-K
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
P
PEAK EARNINGS
The ultimate earnings level of a company at the top of the business cycle. This is the expected
profit during the time of the highest commodity demand and the strongest product pricing.
****
PELLETS 4
Fine particles of iron ore mixed with bonding clay and roasted into hard round balls for blast
furnace feed.
****
PICKLING
What?
Process that cleans a steel coil of its rust, dirt and oil so that further work can be done to the
metal.
Why?
When hot-rolled coils cool, rust forms on the unprotected metal; often coils are stored or
transported while exposed to outside air and water.
How?
Through a continuous process, the steel is uncoiled and sent through a series of hydrochloric
acid baths that remove the oxides (rust). The steel sheet is then rinsed and dried.
****
PIG IRON
The name for the melted iron produced in a blast furnace, containing a large quantity of carbon
(above 1.5%). Named long ago when molten iron was poured through a trench in the ground to
flow into shallow earthen holes, the arrangement looked like newborn pigs suckling. The
central channel became known as the “sow,” and the molds were “pigs.”
****
PILING (SHEET PILING)
A structural steel product with edges designed to interlock; used in the construction of
cofferdams or riverbank reinforcement.
****
PIPE
Technically a tube is used to transport fluids or gases. However, pipe and tube are often used
interchangeably in steel lexicon, with a given label applied primarily as a matter of historical
use.
****
PIPE THREADING 3
Cutting of threads around the circumference of the pipe.
****
PLATE
Sheet steel with a width of more than eight inches, with a thickness ranging from one quarter of
an inch to more than one foot (see Sheet Steel).
****
POWDER METALS
Fabrication technology in which fine metallic powder is compacted under high pressure and
then heated at a temperature slightly below the melting point to solidify the material. Primary
users of powder metal parts are auto, electronics and aerospace industries.
****
PRECIPITATION HARDENING (PH)
A small group of stainless steels with high chromium and nickel content, with the most
common types having characteristics close to those of martensitic (plain chromium stainless
class with exceptional strength) steels. Heat treatment provides this class with its very high
strength and hardness. Applications for PH stainless steels include shafts for pumps and
valves as well as aircraft parts.
****
PRECISION PLATE SAWING 3
Involves sawing plate (primary aluminum plate products) into square or rectangular shapes to
tolerances as close as 0.003 of an inch.
****
PULVERIZED COAL INJECTION SYSTEM (PCI)
A blast furnace enhancement to reduce an integrated mill’s reliance on coke (because of
environmental problems with its production). Up to 30% of the coke charged into the blast
furnace can be replaced by this talcum-like coal powder, which is injected through nozzles at the
bottom of the furnace.
****
PUNCHING 3
The cutting of holes into carbon steel beams or plates by pressing or welding per customer
specifications.
****
Source: Weirton Steel Glossary
Source: Dofasco Glossary of Terms
Source: Reliance Steel 10-K
Source: BlueScope Steel Glossary of Terms
Source: Allegheny Technologies 10-K
Source: Alcoa 10-K
Source: Alcan 10-K
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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