Different Grades of Steel and Their Different Uses

Steel is a popular material used in manufacturing. It is produced in vast quantities. In 2016 alone, the world produced around 1,600 million tons of steel fabricator. This material is used in everything from building structures and appliances to CNC machining and manufacturing. Learn more about different grades of steel and their different uses. Steel is produced from a wide range of materials.

Iron

Iron is an important element in steel manufacturing. This element combines with carbon to form a complex alloy. Higher carbon contents in steel alloys make them harder than pure iron, but are also brittle. Steel alloys with a high carbon content are often used in piping or non-structural materials.

Carbon

Carbon steel is a type of steel that has a carbon content between 0.05 and 2.1 percent by weight. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, this is a low carbon steel.

Carbon content

Steels are classified according to the carbon content. Low-carbon steel is characterized by less than 0.30% carbon and medium-carbon steel contains between 0.30% and 0.60% carbon. These steels are less brittle and stronger than higher-carbon types. However, they are not as tough as high-carbon steel. Because of these differences, they may be better for some applications than others.

Alloys

Steel alloys are different elements that are added to steel to give it better mechanical properties. There are two main types of alloy steels: low alloy steel and high alloy steel. However, the differences between these two groups are controversial.

Galvanized steel

Galvanized steel is a form of steel that is resistant to rust. The metal is coated with a protective zinc layer to keep it from corroding. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing, which involves submerging parts in a bath of hot, molten zinc.

Low carbon steel

Low carbon steel is a form of iron that has a carbon content less than 0.1 wt%. The tensile strength of low carbon steel is between 400 and 550 MPa. This material is suitable for applications where it is needed to withstand large loads. It has good tensile strength, notch toughness, ductility, and corrosion resistance.

High carbon steel

Carbon steel is a material that has a high carbon content, ranging from 0.05 to 2.1 percent of its weight. The American Iron and Steel Institute defines carbon steel as a material with a carbon content of 0.05 to 2.1 percent.

Stainless steel alloys

Stainless steel alloys are created by adding various elements such as chromium, nickel, and molybdenum to the iron that forms the base. These elements enhance the steel’s strength and resistance to corrosion. Nitrogen is particularly important in steel alloys since it can help form an austenitic microstructure. It also improves the resistance to intergranular corrosion and pitting corrosion.