We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Steel Inspection?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 13,483
Share

A steel inspection is a type of materials inspection which involves the inspection of steel to confirm that it is appropriate for a task. Steel inspection can be carried out in a lab and on the site of a steel construction project, and in some cases may need to be performed in both locations. Steel inspection includes inspection of structural steel used in construction, inspection of steel components of machinery, and inspection of specialty products such as surgical steel.

Whether someone is inspecting an I-beam or a scalpel, the goal is safety. The inspector wants to make sure that the steel is as advertised, and that it is appropriate for the task. Investigation techniques used in the lab can include spectroscopy to determine the components of a sample, radiography to look inside the steel, liquid penetrant inspection, and stress testing. Stress testing may involve pushing the steel to the point of fatigue to find out when and why the steel fails.

On site steel inspection includes a physical verification of steel components and welds, along with an inspection of handling practices. A steel inspector may identify problems with the welds which need to be addressed or repaired, or problems with the way the steel is being handled which may make it unsafe or endanger workers. The inspector checks for obvious problems like cracking, bowing, and signs of metal fatigue so that these problems can be addressed before the structure is finished.

Independent agencies all over the world provide steel inspection services, and inspections may also be carried out by government representatives. On a project such as a bridge, for example, the government will inspect the product to confirm that it is safe. If a company fails a steel inspection, it will be expected to address the cause of the failure. In some cases, companies may be liable for fines, as when a company claims to be selling nonreactive surgical steel and the inspection shows that the steel contains impurities.

Steel inspection can be controversial, especially with major projects. Unscrupulous companies have been accused of bribing inspectors, swapping samples, or falsifying results so that they can continue using inferior steel products which have put people at risk. In other instances, inspectors and inspectees have clashed over inspection findings, especially when those findings have costly implications such as the need to replace, recall, redo, or repair something, whether it's a bridge or a suite of surgical tools.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a About Mechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-steel-inspection.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.