Which Industries and Fields Does Eagle National Steel Serve?

Steel is an alloy made from carbon and iron ore. Since its invention, this material has gradually become the foundation of our world. We use steel to build a diverse range of items, from heavy-duty machinery to everyday appliances. 

Eagle National Steel has been supplying steel to local businesses since 1986, and we’ve seen our fair share of interesting uses for the metal. Let’s explore some of the major industries that use our steel and how we serve them.

Residential Construction

The steel industry has expanded its footprint from its beginnings in commercial construction to residential construction. Today, we often work with home builders, professional contractors, and DIY enthusiasts who want to incorporate steel into their projects. 

Top Uses for Steel in Homes:

• Roofing: Trusses, purlins, and metal sheeting
• Steel framing: Posts and beams inside walls, openings for doors and windows
• Siding and cladding: For exterior and interior walls
• Outbuildings: Sheds, barns, garages, etc.

People choose steel for residential buildings because of its unmatched durability. Steel is less susceptible to pests and moisture damage than wood, and it stands up well against strong winds and heavy rain. It’s also more fire-resistant.  

Apart from structural steel sections, Eagle National also supplies prefabricated metal building components, including wall panels and roof panels. These elements make it easier and faster to erect a steel building in bolt-up and weld-up configurations.

Commercial Construction

Commercial construction has long depended on the steel industry for essential materials. For example, steel has been a critical component of high-rise buildings and low-rise commercial complexes for decades. Its high strength-to-weight ratio gives architects more flexibility to design large structures that span longer distances without putting excessive weight on the foundation. Steel is often used as the bones of a building, with other materials covering it inside and out. 

Common Commercial Buildings Made From Steel

• Office buildings
• High-rise apartments
• Warehouses
• Agricultural buildings
• Shopping malls
• Open-concept gyms
• Stadiums and convention centers 

Commercial construction is important for the global steel market, and steel production patterns often follow urbanization trends. Engineers frequently specify higher-grade steel for commercial projects due to the heavy loads these structures are expected to carry. 

Steel Beams: The Backbone of Commercial Structures

Steel beams are one of the main components used in commercial construction. Beams carry the weight of a building’s floors and roof, and give it stability against wind. All horizontal surfaces in a steel frame building are supported by beams. 

Oil and Natural Gas

The oil and natural gas industry is a major contributor to the United States economy, and this field relies significantly on structural steel. 

Applications in the Energy Sector

• Drilling rig platforms: Built from heavy-duty steel plates or grates welded to beams and columns
• Storage tanks: Used for crude oil and refined materials, typically made from carbon or stainless steel
• Pipelines: Steel pipework transports oil and gas across vast distances

In marine environments, engineers may choose to build tanks and rigs from stainless steel or coat carbon steel with other metals that protect it from the elements. Most of the pipework that transports oil and gas is also made from steel.

Transport and Automotive

Another primary use of steel is in the transportation industry. From cars to ships, steel plays a critical role in safety and performance.

Steel in Automotive Applications

Steel is used for manufacturing car parts and body panels. These are formed from sheet steel, channels, steel sections, and tubing. You often find steel in the crumple zones of cars. It’s placed there to provide rigidity and protect people from the impact of an accidental crash. Most vehicles use steel framing for impact beams and safety cages.

These frames can also be used to build truck beds and trailers that carry heavy cargo, animals, or produce. Steel is strong enough to support these loads without adding too much weight to the vehicle. 

Steel Across Transport Industries

• Railroad tracks: High-carbon steel profiles with flat bars secure them in place.
• Airplane hangars: Steel trusses support the weight of the roof, creating a clear-span structure that allows for maximum space utilization.
• Shipbuilding: Ship hulls are often built with a rigid steel frame and covered in sheeting. 

Infrastructure and Public Works

Having good infrastructure can increase a country’s competitiveness in the world economy, and steel is often the material of choice for infrastructure projects.

Steel in Bridges and Public Structures

We partner with counties and state agencies to build public projects from steel beams and other framing components. Many bridges are built from steel because of its impressive spanning capabilities. 

• Girders: Strong, complex beams that serve as the primary load-bearing structures in a bridge
• Piles: Steel foundations that anchor the bridge into the earth
• Trusses: Supportive structure beneath concrete roads
• Bracing: Connects vertical elements and gives the bridge extra stability

Steel is also utilized for telephone poles and electricity transmission towers. These structures support essential power lines and cables and also provide a convenient base for radio and internet antennas. 

Steel in Renewable Energy Projects

Steel supports modern sustainability initiatives through:

• Wind turbine towers and frames
• Solar panel mounting systems
• Water towers and treatment systems

Recycling scrap steel to build these structures makes them even more sustainable.

Eagle Steel Is Your Trusted Partner in Steel 

Steelmaking supports dozens of other industries, many of them critical to our survival. Eagle National Steel produces steel for building projects across the United States. Our steel manufacturing processes are efficient and dependable, ensuring that you get the best product for your project. Visit our steel yard in Hutchins, TX, to explore our range in person or contact us to place your order now.