Thermodynamics and physical chemistry in steelmaking: the giants in this history: an overview
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The title of this review is inspired by the 1676 comment by Newton in a letter to Hooke [1]: "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants", originally attributed to Bernard of Chartres [2].As we rapidly approach the 200 years of tonnage steelmaking, inaugurated by people like Bessemer, Mushet, Siemens and Martin, it seems appropriate to review the important contribution of these inventive minds in connection with the supporting knowledge in thermodynamics and physical chemistry that made possible the regular production of around 2000Mt/yr of this material in recent decades.While it can be argued that much of the development in thermodynamics and physical chemistry came after the inventions and breakthroughs in steelmaking, it seems that, increasingly, the use of these sciences helps and continues helping the further development of steelmaking technology to impressive levels.At the same time, while we are exposed to the most modern ways of storing, retrieving and summarizing previous information, including AI, it might be advisable to present a concise view of the most relevant contributions to the progress of the applications of science to the very practical problems of making steels more economically, with better properties and with the minimum possible environmental impact.It is the objective of this review to present such concise view.It is our intention that this may prevent the waste of time and energy with the "rediscovery" or "reinvention" of concepts while given some inspiration to current students and practitioners of the art of steelmaking in the XXI century.
Language: Portuguese
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204185526
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