Can I switch between synthetic and conventional oil?

Yes, it’s possible to switch between them, although it’s best to follow your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations. If your car is older, consult a mechanic before making a switch.

Is synthetic oil worth the extra cost?

In most cases, yes—especially if you want longer intervals between changes and better protection. For frequent drivers or those in extreme climates, the investment often pays off.

How often should I change synthetic oil?

Many full synthetic oils are rated for up to 10,000 miles between changes, but always check your vehicle’s maintenance guide for specifics.

Could a 150-Year-Old Patent Be the Answer to Saving American Steel?

By Sarah Simonovich on Mar 22 2017

Could a 150-Year-Old Patent Be the Answer to Saving American Steel?

The decline in U.S. steel production has long been a point of concern for American industry. Historically, challenges like global overcapacity and the importation of foreign steel have led to the closure of major facilities, such as the U.S. Steel Corporation's tubular mills in Lorain, Ohio.

While government directives have aimed to bolster the industry—such as mandates requiring American steel for infrastructure and pipelines—the real "glimmer of hope" for the future of steel production may lie in a technological breakthrough from the 19th century: strip casting.

The History of Modern Steelmaking: How an Old Idea Met New Tech

Steel production is an ancient craft, dating back as early as the 13th century BC. However, the modern era of mass production began in the 19th century with Sir Henry Bessemer.

Sir Henry Bessemer: The (Other) Man of Steel

In the 1850s, English inventor Henry Bessemer developed a system to blow air through molten pig iron to burn away impurities. This "Bessemer Process" made steel easier and cheaper to manufacture, revolutionizing structural engineering.

In 1865, Bessemer filed a patent for casting strips of steel directly. Instead of casting steel into heavy ingots (bricks) that required reheating and rolling, he proposed pouring liquid steel between two water-cooled rollers to squeeze the metal directly into sheets. While the technology of 1865 couldn't support the vision, the concept remained a potential game-changer for industrial efficiency.

Beyond 20th-Century Manufacturing: Continuous Casting

For a century, the industry relied on continuous casting (introduced in the 1950s). This process pours molten steel through a mold to create semi-finished slabs. However, this method is energy-intensive; a slab might be 120mm thick, but industries like automotive manufacturing require steel to be 1–2mm thick. The energy required to "roll" that steel down to size is massive.

The Modern Answer: Castrip and Single Belt Casting

Recent advances have finally made Bessemer’s 1865 vision a reality through Castrip technology and Single Belt Casting.

What is the Castrip Process?

The Castrip process produces flat-rolled steel sheets at thin gauges without the need for rolling massive slabs. Much like Bessemer’s original patent, liquid metal passes through water-cooled, counter-rotating rolls.

American steelmaker Nucor is currently utilizing Castrip at plants in Indiana and Arkansas. The benefits include:

70% Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Lower Operational Costs: Minimal space and energy consumption.
Faster Production: Creating thin-gauge steel ready for use in fencing, roofing, and appliances.

Single Belt Casting

Another method involves single-belt casting, where liquid steel is cast directly onto a horizontal moving belt. German steelmaker Salzgitter opened the first commercial single-belt caster in 2012, proving that high-quality specialized steel can be made with a much smaller footprint.

The Future of the U.S. Steel Industry

To revamp the American steel industry, a technological "facelift" is required. By integrating these "cast-as" technologies, manufacturers can create higher-quality components with lower energy overhead. This shift allows for smaller, more efficient mills to be integrated directly within manufacturing hubs—much like the evolution of the modern automotive industry.