The strength of steel is unparalleled. It is stronger and denser than iron. Because of its strength and versatility, steel is very popular in construction engineering. /kloc-in the middle of the 0/9th century, steel was mass-produced and replaced iron as the main building material.

Because of its amazing strength, steel is very useful in buildings, houses and railway lines. This kind of engineering needs the plasticity provided by steel. Steel is also lighter than iron and has a stronger ability to withstand tensile stress. The strength and weight of steel mean that it is impossible to warp, deform or bend.

Cast iron is known for its strength rather than ductility. This means that cast iron may be more brittle and of little use in construction. Therefore, iron is more commonly used to make tools.

Difference 2: Durability

When seeking to build a structure, it will insist on time and elements, and steel is the best choice. Structural steel can withstand great pressure and high temperature. This means that it can resist fire and has high resistance to other elements such as wind and rain. The risk of steel being affected by mold or mildew is lower than that of iron. This will ultimately affect the integrity of the building or construction project.

Because of its use, steel is considered as one of the most durable materials in buildings. Steel will not crack, twist, twist, crack or rot. Iron is inferior to these qualities. The durability of steel is one of the main reasons why it is more popular in construction projects than iron. Steel is also suitable for manufacturing sections, such as I-beams and simple sections.

Difference 3: Corrosion

Corrosion is a natural process of changing metal composition through chemical oxidation. Oxidation will cause the metal to rust and turn orange. Steel is considered to be more resistant to corrosion than iron.

Iron oxidizes easily, so it rusts. Although water may affect the integrity of steel, some measures can be taken to reduce this risk and increase resistance. Steel can be surface treated, such as protective coating and spraying. It can also be coated with refractory to prevent corrosion. Steel is also a non-porous alloy, which means that it has natural corrosion resistance.

Difference 4: Cost

In most cases, structural steel is more cost-effective than building iron. Since the industrial revolution, the mass production of steel has made it an economically advantageous material. In the past 30 years, the increase in the output of the steel industry has also helped improve people's affordability.

Steel is lighter than iron in structure. This has a great impact on the overall construction cost during the construction period. Steelmaking is also considered to be a cheaper process than iron. The grade of steel will affect its price. Higher grades will also affect the price of iron. Stronger iron like cast iron requires higher output, which means higher cost.

Difference 5: universality

When used in buildings, steel is flexible and creative. Steel can be bent to meet the needs of any project. This is why steel is used in complex forms, such as hollow profiles. Architects rely more and more on steel as their independent design and expression of virtue. Most importantly, this is achieved without affecting the function.

Iron is usually too soft to be used in pure state. When mixed with alloy or carbon, the versatility of iron increases. Iron is a popular choice for Victorian architects because it can fill complex molds. This has produced many classic and gorgeous details that we still see today. Although iron provides beautiful details in architecture, it is not so omnipotent in architecture.

Difference 6: Sustainability

Steel is considered to be sustainable. Structural steel is actually 100% recyclable and is one of the most sustainable materials in the construction industry. Steel can be recycled again and again. None of this will lose its durability. Because of its famous durability, steel is considered as an environmentally friendly substitute for iron.

Although iron is completely recyclable, it depends on the production process with high energy consumption. On the other hand, in the past 30 years, the energy consumption of steel production has fallen sharply. With the reduction of carbon footprint of steel industry, this trend continues.