BORON MINING

Sourcing, extraction and mining of Boron is a complicated affair requiring huge investment for this criticial mineral. Learn how the industry players are shaping the future of boron supplies

MINING

Introduction to Boron Mining – Locations and Major Players

A Summary of Boron - Mining, Countries, and Major Players Boron is an element present in the earth's crust. It is mined from a variety of places, including Turkey, China, and the United States. Many different countries mine boron because they exist in large...

Company Profiles, MINING

Country Profile of Boron USA

Boron USA: The production of boron USA and boron extracted products in the USA is a strategic activity. Borates extraction as high-end minerals contributes to the advanced technology of industries such as aerospace and defence. They are also important to secure food supply in domestic agriculture, and contribute to decarbonisation efforts. The USA is a net importer of borates given Eti Maden’s control of supply and declining production by Rio Tinto but new sources – the Fort Cady project by ABR – will address this imbalance

INDUSTRY SECTORS, MINING

Boric Acid Companies

The boric acid market is fragmented with the presence of numerous players. These vendors compete based on R&D, quality, price, innovations, marketing strategies, market expansion, investments, and distribution networks. Some vendors have high investment capabilities, and they constantly focus on increasing their production capacities. Although the increase in demand from developing countries will offer immense growth opportunities, the threat of substitutes will challenge the growth of the market participants.

ADVANCED ENERGY, DECARBONIZATION, MINING

Critical Minerals in Australia

Critical Minerals in Australia: The Australian Government has announced its intention to become more self-reliant in critical minerals as a result of geopolitical changes which threaten the ongoing supply of key industrial and energy commodities, which includes boron and borates.

Company Profiles, MINING

Extracting Lithium from Boron Waste

Research has revealed that lithium can be extracted from boron waste. The connection between boron waste and lithium offers opportunities to create battery-grade lithium for supply in a sustainable manner. It can be done via three-phase extraction or by simply extracting lithium from boron clay by roasting and leaching. Both Rio Tinto and Eti Maden claim to be the world's first to market with methods to extract lithium from boron.

MINING

Boron Mining Processes

Boron Mining Processes: Boron is an element that naturally occurs in nature. Borates mining producers extract boron and borates from boron-containing minerals such as colemanite, ulexite, tincal, and kernite. The bulk of known borates deposits are found in Turkey. The USA is the second largest producer. Other regions include Argentina, Chile, Russia, China, and Peru. Commercially, boron mining is attracting attention due to its strategic importance in aerospace and defence as well as in green energy and advanced energy, helped by certain boron compounds.

MINING, SPECIAL REPORTS

FEAM Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results

5E Advanced Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: FEAM), the owner of strategic critical mineral assets Boron and Lithium at Fort Cady in southern California, reported its financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2022, which ended on March 31, 2022.

DECARBONIZATION, Industrial emissions, MINING

Decarbonization: Implications on different Sectors

Decarbonization, Boron and Mining The mining and metal industry is one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world, generating a sizable percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions. How quickly has decarbonization been going on in the mining and metal...

Company Profiles, MINING

Lithium Miners Update for January 2023

January marked a thrilling start to the year for Lithium Miners, as investors eagerly sought out these companies in anticipation of exciting opportunities.

INVEST IN BORON, MINING

Boron Supply Constraints USA Benefit ABR

Boron supply constraints in the North American market will benefit the Fort Cady Integrated Boron Facility in Southern California, fully-owned by the American Pacific Borates Limited (ASX:ABR), the company slated for a NASDAQ listing in Q1 CY 2022, said.

INVEST IN BORON, MINING

ABR Appoints 2 Key Executives for US Listing

American Pacific Borates (ABR) has just announced the appointment of two senior executives to support its value engineering activities and US listing and to maximize shareholder value through operational excellence, strategic planning, and parallel diversification initiatives. The company also has plans for a listing in the US. To bring it all to fruition, the company is in discussions with various US-based investment banks, potential US partners, and debt capital market advisors.

INDUSTRY SECTORS, INVEST IN BORON, MINING

American Pacific Borates (ABR) John Mitchell

n an ambitious move to drive its US listing process, the American Pacific Borates Limited (ASX:ABR) (“ABR” or the “Company”) has brought on board industrial minerals’-exponent John Mitchell as the chairman of its newly constituted Advisory Board. Tim Johnston and Govind Arora are the other appointees of the three-member Advisory Board.

ADVANCED ENERGY, BENEFITS, INVEST IN BORON, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Lithium 101

Today, we're going to talk about lithium 101 - its chemical properties, where it's found and the mining processes to extract lithium from the ground, applications, market size, and demand for lithium. Lithium 101.

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Turkey and Boron

Today, we're going to look at Turkey and Boron. Turkey is the world's largest producer of boron through the government-owned Eti Maden. With enough reserves to cover global demand for the next 500 years, Turkey stands first in market share, manufactures, and markets 62% of the world's boron.

Batteries and Capacitors, Company Profiles, RESEARCH

Company Profile of Li-S Energy Limited – Boron Battery

Li-S Energy Limited, established in 2019, is an Australian company, a joint venture between Li-S Energy's founding shareholders, PPK Group, BNNT Technology, and Deakin University. Its purpose is to develop a new battery technology that incorporates Boron Nitride Nanotubes, which are more efficient, lower cost, and greener than current batteries for markets including automotive, defense and aviation.

DECARBONIZATION, MINING

Boron, ESG and the Mining Industry

The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework is growing in significance for mining companies, including those involved in boron extraction. ESG is a set of practices that mines have to comply with to ensure their future sustainability. It will become an integral part of every mining operation worldwide shortly. ESG compliance is difficult for some mines because it requires them to alter their production methods or management style. However, it is not only possible but necessary.

MINING

Critical Mineral Boron in the Mojave Desert

Critical mineral boron is used in various applications, from agriculture to nuclear power. It's also one of the few minerals we don't have enough. As with other strategic minerals, obtaining a license for production is hard given the environmental impact on the land.

Company Profiles, MINING, SPECIAL REPORTS

Critical Minerals Crushed

Many critical minerals shares have been hit hard in recent months as the prices of these commodities have declined sharply. While the overall market has seen sharp declines, shares of companies involved in the mining and production of these critical minerals have been hit even harder.

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – The Solar Power Market is Red Hot

The solar power market is growing with the demand for renewable energy sources.

Company Profiles, MINING

Company Profile of US Borax

U.S. Borax, part of Rio Tinto, is a global leader in the supply and science of borates - naturally occurring minerals containing boron. U.S. Borax supply 30% of the world’s need for refined borates from their mine in Boron, California

MINING, PODCASTS, SPECIAL REPORTS

Podcast – Billion Dollar Boron

Podcast - Billion dollar boron. In 2021, borates sales hit billions of dollars. Why? The demand for boron is increasing rapidly in strategic sectors such as aerospace and defense, zero-carbon, and advanced energy solutions, which depend on boron-based technologies to reduce emissions. Recent forecasts predict that boron demand will increase by 30% by the end of the decade.

MINING, RESEARCH

Ultimate Guide to Boron Markets

Learn more about well-researched forecasts for the various global boron markets.

MINING

Ulexite: The Wonder Mineral

Ulexite, a boron mineral found in the American southwest, is recognized for its intense, pearly white color. This stone first garnered attention in 1840 and is named after the German chemist George Ludwig Ulex, who first explained its chemical composition.

MINING

Uncovering Decarbonization Opportunities In The Mining Industry

The mining sector has a key role in the transition to net-zero emissions. Although it currently accounts for just 4-7% of global emissions, it is one of the most energy-intensive industries, and its products are used in a wide range of other sectors.

Company Profiles

FEAM (5E Advanced Materials) Announces New Board Members

5E Advanced Materials (NASDAQ: FEAM) is delighted to welcome three non-executive board members and looks forward to working with them from October 25, 2022.

INDUSTRY SECTORS, MINING

The Economics of Boron Production

The primary source of both boron and borate is the mining of minerals that contain it. Borax, for example, was originally mined from a dry lake in Turkey before being found to be more profitable at other locations such as Alaska where deposits can be located within...

MINING

SEC Resources Estimate American Pacific Borates (ABR)

American Pacific Borates Limited (ABR) submits SEC Resources Estimate bring US listing for this company one step closer. The filing indicates an improved resource and additional potential for further improved scale with borate and lithium reserves. Given strong validated indications of borate reserves at the Fort Cady facility.

Company Profiles, MINING

Country Profile Boron Turkey

Country Profile - Boron Turkey: Evidence of borates mining has been found dating back to Roman times in Turkey. Turkey is the world’s largest producer with 73% of the world's total boron reserves. The largest tincal deposit is the Kirka deposit at Eskisehir. Bigadic (colemanite & ulexite), Emet(colemanite), Kestelek (colemanite, probertite & ulexite), Kirka (tincal) are the main borate-producing regions of Turkey.

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING

Biden Administration Issues Critical and Strategic Mineral Policy

Biden Administration is taking strategic steps to safeguard the clean energy transition, protecting access and availability of critical minerals such as lithium and boron.

Company Profiles, MINING

Rio Tinto Mine Serbia Lithium Boron Licences Revoked

Rio Tinto Mine. The Serbian government has finally revoked Rio Tinto's licenses for lithium exploration in Serbia in the latter part of January 2022. The government gave in to the protesters who have been opposed to the Anglo-Australian mining company's project on environmental grounds. Last year, the company committed to the project as global miners push for metals necessary to transition to green energy. This includes lithium which is used in the production of electric vehicle batteries. The project was already suspended in December 2021 due to environmental deterioration and forced displacement concerns.

Company Profiles, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast High Purity Boron

In today's podcast, we're going to look at the global high purity boron market, which will experience strong growth in the coming years. This is mainly due to the increasing demand for boron-based products in electronics, semiconductors, and the automotive sector.

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron Markets Ultimate Guide Part 2

Today, we'll continue our look at a number of markets where boron and borax compounds are used, including the Boron Trifluoride Market, Potassium Fluoborate Market, the Tin Fluoborate Market, the Permanent Magnets Market, the Super Abrasives Market, the Cubic Boron Nitride Market, the Hexagonal Boron Nitride Market, the Lithium BIS Borate Market, and the Cubic Boron Nitrates Market.

MINING, PODCASTS

Junior Lithium Miners – Market Update

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING

Underground Mining Pursuit: Hard Rock Mining

Underground mining is a practice that delves deep for precious metals, gems and other valuable minerals. Hard rock mining venture to extract minerals from hard ore or sedimentary rocks.

Company Profiles, MINING

FEAM Collaborates With Estes Energetics

FEAM and Estes Energetics have signed an LOI to develop cutting-edge boron-based components for solid rocket motors. FEAM has also achieved initial production milestones.

INDUSTRY SECTORS, MINING

Lithium Miner Ioneer To Receive $700m from DOE

Ioneer, a lithium mining company, has secured a remarkable $700 million investment from the U.S Department of Energy to develop their Rhyolite Ridge lithium/boron project.

MINING, SCIENCE

Sodalite with boron: The Crystal of Communication

Sodalite is a tectosilicate mineral found in many colors, but deep blue with white streaks is the most desirable.

Chemistry, MINING

Boron Minerals

Boron minerals are found in the Earth's crust; its various forms come from different geological structures, such as pegmatite and metamorphic rocks. The most common boron minerals include Tincal, Tincalconite, Colemanite, Kernite, Ulexite, Pandermite, Boracite, Hydroboracite, Inderite, Ascharite, Datolite, Sassolite, Meyerhofferite, Inyoite, and Probertite.

MINING, RESEARCH

Lithium Miners To Watch In Upcoming Years

December closed out with a surge of momentum for the Lithium Miners where investors are looking forward to investing in these companies.

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – 5e Advanced Materials Announces Exciting Update

Today, we’re going to take a look at 5e Advanced Materials, the only permitted boron and lithium resource in the United States that recently updated the boron and lithium community with its strategic plan.

Nowea Energy Inc. To List on Stock Exchange

Company Profiles, MINING

Nowea Energy Inc. To List on Stock Exchange

Nowea Energy Inc. is in the stage of implementing business plans for a stock exchange listing. According to a recent announcement, the company aims to be listed on a separate stock exchange.

Boron-Powered Supersonic Missile: Future Of Naval Warfare

Defense, INDUSTRY SECTORS

Boron-Powered Supersonic Missile: Future Of Naval Warfare

China's scientists are developing a boron-powered supersonic missile that will fly like a commercial plane and swim in the ocean as a torpedo.

Boron Powers Neodymium Magnets

Batteries and Capacitors, Efficient Power Sources, Electricity Generation

Boron Powers Neodymium Magnets

What are Neodymium magnets? The answer is “Super Magnets”. Neodymium (Nd-Fe-B) are rare earth magnets are composed of neodymium, iron, boron, and a few transition metals. The elements of neodymium are classified as “rare earth” magnets because they lie in the...

A Town Called Boron

MINING

A Town Called Boron

Scientists and mining professionals know boron as a strategic mineral that powers advanced energy and serve multiple industrial, agricultural, and household applications. But there is another Boron, a town called boron in California. Many of the population of Boron work at the U.S. Borax mine nearby, after which the town was renamed.

Uncovering Decarbonization Opportunities In The Mining Industry

MINING

Uncovering Decarbonization Opportunities In The Mining Industry

California With The Hidden Gem Boron

MINING

California With The Hidden Gem Boron

California is home to some of the world's richest deposits of boron thanks largely to its naturally occurring colemanite and ulexite minerals.

Sustainable Mining: The Future of the Industry

Environmental Protection, MINING

Sustainable Mining: The Future of the Industry

Sustainable mining is the sustainable extraction, processing, and use of mineral resources. It impacts the environmental and its economic feasibility.

ABR Increased Head-Grade

INVEST IN BORON, MINING

ABR Increased Head-Grade

American Pacific Borates New Mine Plan with Increased Head-Grade. ABR's CEO, Henri Tausch, comments that yet another milestone that will allow them to be US-listed. And, perhaps most importantly, the mining firm also has three additional benefits connected with the S-K1300 conversion process.

Boron, ESG and the Mining Industry

DECARBONIZATION, MINING

Boron, ESG and the Mining Industry

5e Advanced Materials Lists on Nasdaq

INVEST IN BORON, MINING

5e Advanced Materials Lists on Nasdaq

5e Advanced Materials Lists on Nasdaq: The arrival of FEAM - 5e Advanced Materials - on Nasdaq today is potentially a game-changer for Boron and strategic mineral supplies not only in the USA but also globally. Boron is needed for green energy and strategic applications in aerospace and defense as well as in large markets for (borosiliate) glass, ceramics, enamels, steel in automobile. How will FEAM build out its business and facility?

How Boron Helps Your Garden Thrive

Agriculture, Alkaline Balancer, Anti Bacteria, AntI-corrosive, Anti-fungal, Crop Management, Environmental Protection, Farming, Forests and Parks, MICRONUTRIENTS, Pest Control, Wood Protection

How Boron Helps Your Garden Thrive

Micronutrients play an important role in plants' life and growth. Mineral deficiencies can lead to serious problems with the plants such as stunted growth and rougher leaves. It can also result in interveinal chlorosis of leaves, purpling of leaf margins and...

The Boron Production Process

MINING

The Boron Production Process

Boron is a naturally occurring chemical element. It is mostly found in the arid regions of California and Turkey. Pure boron is extracted and converted into various agricultural and industrial products through diverse and complex processes.

Boron the Next Big Energy Carrier

APPLICATIONS, BENEFITS, Electricity Generation, RESEARCH

Boron the Next Big Energy Carrier

Scientists are finding new ways to convert Boron into an energy carrier. The conversion process includes two steps: first heating up water with calcium oxide until it evaporates completely; then, after boiling off all the liquid, you get white crystalline material that hold energy.

Podcast – Use Borax Cleaning Products Safely

Anti Bacteria, AntI-corrosive, Anti-fungal, INDUSTRY SECTORS, PODCASTS

Podcast – Use Borax Cleaning Products Safely

Podcast - Today, we’re going to be looking at how borax can be used around the house for cleaning. In multiple applications. Borax is often used in cleaning products because it is very efficient at removing dirt and grime. It can be used in a large number of applications around the house, including unblocking drains, steam cleaning, and garbage disposal.

Boron Deficiency in Plants: Symptoms and Cures

Agriculture, Crop Management, Farming

Boron Deficiency in Plants: Symptoms and Cures

Boron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency that causes crop production and quality losses. But what are its symptoms and cures?

Podcast – Turkey and Boron

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Turkey and Boron

Company Profile of Vulcan Energy Resources

Company Profiles, MINING

Company Profile of Vulcan Energy Resources

Vulcan Energy Resources announced in November that its leading German site had significant lithium reserves with 181 milligrams per litre. Lithium and Boron can be found and extracted from Geothermal Brine. Vulcan plans to market its lithium as “zero carbon.”. Vulcan’s Zero Carbon Lithium business is different from current lithium extraction projects in that it causes no disruptions to communities or the environment.

Boron Superconducting Powers

Clean Fuels, Electricity Generation, RESEARCH, Superconductors

Boron Superconducting Powers

Looking for spotless electricity? Hold on, Boron! It's been a while since we've had a blog post about the wonders of Boron. Boron is used to produce clean electricity(yes, it is) which is great for those who are looking to save on their electric bill and reduce...

FEAM Announces Its Strategic Plan

Company Profiles, MINING

FEAM Announces Its Strategic Plan

FEAM (5E Advanced Materials, Inc.) is delighted to present a status report on the implementation and operation of its strategic planning.

Introduction to Boron and Lithium

ADVANCED ENERGY, BENEFITS, Human Health, INVEST IN BORON, MINING

Introduction to Boron and Lithium

Many investors are aware that boron and lithium are two essential elements for use in Advanced Energy. What is the difference between the two minerals?

U.S. Government Designates ABR Boron Fort Cady Facility as Critical Infrastructure

Company Profiles, MINING

U.S. Government Designates ABR Boron Fort Cady Facility as Critical Infrastructure

ABR Boron Facility: In a welcome move for ABR, the US Government has designated the Fort Cady boron and lithium site as critical infrastructure. Given the high demand and limited supply for boron, the move marks an important step in securing supplies of boron for key industries such as advanced energy and for decarbonization efforts.

Underground Mining Pursuit: Hard Rock Mining

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING

Underground Mining Pursuit: Hard Rock Mining

Underground mining is a practice that delves deep for precious metals, gems and other valuable minerals. Hard rock mining venture to extract minerals from hard ore or sedimentary rocks.

Rio Jadar Project – Insight Report (Borates and Boron)

MINING

Rio Jadar Project – Insight Report (Borates and Boron)

Rio Jadar Lithium Borate (Boron) is a new project in Serbia that specializes in producing lithium borate crystals.

Podcast – Lithium 101

ADVANCED ENERGY, BENEFITS, INVEST IN BORON, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Lithium 101

Boron in Paper Production

APPLICATIONS, INDUSTRY SECTORS

Boron in Paper Production

Borate compounds are widely used in chemical processes and recovery - Boron in paper production - by mills all over the globe. Sodium borohydride is used in paper production primarily to bleach paper in the preparation stage. Boron is also used in the form of borax pentahydrate to support causticising. Borate autocausticization is a cost-saving technique that can help paper mills save money on material, recovery, and energy.

Exciting Lithium by-product at ABR US Boron Facility

MINING

Exciting Lithium by-product at ABR US Boron Facility

Giving impetus to its drive to be a substantial player in the advanced energy eco-system of the region and beyond, American Pacific Borates Limited (ASX:ABR) (ABR or the Company) is exploring partner options for a potential by-product lithium production from its Fort Cady Integrated Boron Facility in Southern California.

Video – The Origin and Growth of Stevia Plant

Farming, INDUSTRY SECTORS

Video – The Origin and Growth of Stevia Plant

Stevia plant offer an excellent alternative to sugar and need boron in order for them to reach their highest potential.

Company Profile of Li-S Energy Limited – Boron Battery

Batteries and Capacitors, Company Profiles, RESEARCH

Company Profile of Li-S Energy Limited – Boron Battery

Podcast – Novel Applications in BNNTs

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Novel Applications in BNNTs

Today, we're going to look at novel applications using boron nitride nanotubes. Boron nitride nanotubes, or BNNTs, are mechanically and structurally identical to carbon nanotubes. BNNTs, however, have unique properties that are electrically insulating as well as transparent because of the polarized boron nitride bond.

Boron and the war on Cancer

Human Health, Pharmaceuticals, RESEARCH

Boron and the war on Cancer

Boron is a natural mineral that helps with different aspects of health. One of the most important roles it plays in our bodies is to help maintain healthy tissues. This includes bones and cells. It is an effective treatment for many types of cancer. Because it can stop tumor growth and reduce inflammation in the body. Let’s take a look at how this mineral works its magic on some common cancers. So does Boron battle cancer?

Lithium Miner Ioneer To Receive $700m from DOE

INDUSTRY SECTORS, MINING

Lithium Miner Ioneer To Receive $700m from DOE

Ioneer, a lithium mining company, has secured a remarkable $700 million investment from the U.S Department of Energy to develop their Rhyolite Ridge lithium/boron project.

Podcast – 5e Advanced Materials Announces Exciting Update

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – 5e Advanced Materials Announces Exciting Update

The Boron Value Chain

INDUSTRY SECTORS, MINING

The Boron Value Chain

Borates are boron containing compounds that offer many benefits to industries like construction, electronics, and water treatment. They are also useful in food processing and agriculture as a fertilizer or pesticide. There is scope to explore the value chain of borates from extraction to distribution. What does it take to create/enhance the value of borate products in different markets and applications?

Podcast – Boron and U.S. Rare Earths

MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – Boron and U.S. Rare Earths

Podcast - Today, we're going to take a look at boron and US rare earths and the stockpiling policy. The US is boosting the stockpile of its rare earth materials, such as cobalt and lithium. But why is this? The answer is partly to reduce dependence on China and partly to have a strategic policy towards rare earth sourcing and distribution.

FEAM Announces Breakthrough Technology on Boron Facility

MINING

FEAM Announces Breakthrough Technology on Boron Facility

FEAM - 5E advanced materials - has made a significant breakthrough and has begun construction on its Small Scale Boron Facility (SSBF) with a leading publicly traded contractor in the US.

Boron Oil Extraction

MINING, SCIENCE

Boron Oil Extraction

Apart from being more environmentally friendly than competing metal cross-linkers used in oil and gas stimulation, borates’ unique properties and behavior make them an ideal option for multiple oilfield applications including retarder in concrete, lubricant, alkaline buffer to reduce water hardness, lost circulation treatments, and profile control, alkaline surfactant, hydrogen sulfide scavenger (an oxidizer of hydrogen sulfide gas), pulsed neutron well logging and hydraulic fracturing fluids.

Boron Feeds the World

Agriculture, Anti Bacteria, Anti-fungal, Crop Management, Environmental Protection, Farming, Food Stability, Forests and Parks, Pest Control

Boron Feeds the World

Progressively Agriculture needs to become efficient to give a population that Is developing. As a factor that is crucial to crop development. Boron feeds the world

Welding with Boron Steel

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Welding with Boron Steel

Welding with Boron Steel: Boron is widely used in construction materials as a strengthening agent and anticorrosive agent. When it comes to steel structures, boron has a particular role in strengthening and anti-fracturing steel welds. Boron oxide and boron carbide are the most commonly used compounds in this context.

Podcast – The Solar Power Market is Red Hot

ADVANCED ENERGY, MINING, PODCASTS

Podcast – The Solar Power Market is Red Hot

The solar power market is growing with the demand for renewable energy sources.

Ford Boron Steel Bodywork

ADVANCED ENERGY, APPLICATIONS, Automotive, INDUSTRY SECTORS

Ford Boron Steel Bodywork

Automotive makers, including Ford, are taking advantage of boron's high tensile strength to build stronger, safer, and lighter cars. Boron steel is a crucial ingredient in the Ford Fiesta's pillars and structural elements and its other car brands. Boron steel is steel alloyed with small amounts of boron. It is four times higher than the average high-strength steel.