American Steel vs Chinese Steel
Manufacturing Standards
American Steel Producers are held to a set of standards created by organizations such as The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) that determine the appropriate chemistry mixes for different types of steel. These standards are intended as a safety precaution to ensure the right quality of metal is being used for the right product.
Companies in China are producing steel at a faster rate, flooding the market and affecting prices. It is produced at a rapid rate and it is not held to the same quality standards as American steel.
Quality Issues
US Produced Steel requires rigorous testing before it can be sold, Chinese companies are not required to conduct these tests. These tests are in place to help prevent steel from becoming brittle or forming cracks when it is put under stress from either being formed or welded during manufacturing processes.
Some Chinese companies were found putting Boron in their steel to earn a tax rebate. This addition to the steel makes it crack easier and is an overall safety hazard. While there are some welding methods that can help prevent the metal from cracking during welding, but the exact amount of Boron added to the metal needs to be disclosed, which they often are not.
Environmental Impact
In addition to the rigorous testing, US Steel Producers are under more strict guidelines for the environment. Carbon emissions in China are greater than in America for the same amount of steel. Steel Producers in the US spend 80 percent more per ton of steel to reduce the pollution levels to both air and water than a steelmaker in China.