Steel adds to Speed and Fun of Winter Sports
02/11/2008 - Although most sports enthusiasts would probably never think about it, steel can play a vital role in the fun, adventure, and speed of winter sports.
As people head to the slopes and the ice rinks to take part in their winter sport of choice, most would probably never think about the role steel plays in the fun, adventure, and speed of winter sports.
That speed, most likely, is helped out by the steel content hidden within the many types of winter sports equipment used by skiers, skaters, sled riders and even lugers.
For example, in a sport that is growing in popularity as a result of recent winter Olympic Games, the luge is all about speed. With that knowledge, the USA Luge Team partnered with U.S. Steel Corp. back in 2005 to help develop new steel runners that will reduce the friction between the blade and ice, which can help shave off time for a luger. Tests indicated that the new runners were able to shave as much as 0.15 seconds off a typical run, a significant achievement as it relates to Olympic luge times.
The lugers are not the only ones benefiting from research into new and improved steel technologies. Steel edges on skis and snowboards have long given alpine enthusiasts the control and balance necessary to rocket down the mountain. Whereas lugers are concerned with reducing friction, skiers and boarders look to use the edges to gain traction on icy trails and increase turning capabilities.
Steel plays an important role off the slopes as well. Ice rinks and arenas are frequented by steel blades, the most important piece of equipment for a skating or hockey enthusiast. The skate blades’ crescent design creates two parallel edges that dramatically improve stopping and turning on ice. Speed skaters use thin, flat-bottomed blades allow for limited friction and let participants glide around the rink with little effort.
In addition to steel playing an integral role in winter sporting equipment, steel framing is increasingly the material of choice for the arenas that host winter sporting events. The Mellon Arena, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, for example, utilizes 2950 tons of steel in its retractable dome roof alone. Arenas across the country are utilizing steel because of its strength, durability and flexibility with regard to design.
American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) is comprised of 31 member steel companies, who represent approximately 75% of both U.S. and North American steel capacity
