What is Carbon Steel?
The term "carbon steel" may also be used in reference to steel which is not stainless steel; in this use carbon steel may include alloy steels. High carbon steel has many different uses such as milling machines, cutting tools (such as chisels) and high strength wires. These applications require a much finer microstructure, which improves the toughness.
As the carbon percentage content rises, steel has the ability to become harder and stronger through heat treating; however, it becomes less ductile. Regardless of the heat treatment, a higher carbon content reduces weldability. In carbon steels, the higher carbon content lowers the melting point.
Carbon steel is composed of iron and 0.12 - 2.00 percent carbon. The broader definition includes alloy steels, which can also contain up to 10.5 percent alloy content. Even within the confines of under two percentage points of carbon, there is huge variance in physical characteristics-especially hardness.
When people talk about carbon steel, they are usually referring to the high carbon steel used in knives and tools. High carbon steels are very hard, which makes them good at resisting abrasion and retaining shape. They can withstand significant force before deforming. Unfortunately, hard metals are also brittle: when placed under extreme tensile stress, high carbon steels are more likely to crack than bend.
Low carbon steels are more common than high carbon because of:
- lower production costs,
- greater ductility, and
- ease of use in manufacturing.
Low carbon steels tend to deform under stress instead of breaking, and that ductility makes low carbon steels easy to machine and weld. They are frequently used in automobile body panels, bolts, fixtures, seamless tubes, and steel plate.
Cost-effective:
When there's not a need for replacements, you're saving money. Other pipes depreciate faster than carbon steel. Also, keep in mind with carbon steel’s strength, the pipes can be much thinner than other piping, meaning it will have a greater carrying capacity that pipes with the same diameter. Also, these pipes can be bent and shaped easily to fit the specifications you need. It’s common to see joints, valves and other fitting made out of carbon steel.
Durable:
It's already been mentioned in the paragraph above, but the durableness of carbon steel needs a category of its own. Steel carbon is great for framing a building or structure for a variety of reasons. First, its non-combustible. Second it’s more resistant to natural disasters because of its strength. And third, it’s very shock resistive. These pipes are often times used in for water mains that are laid underneath high traffic roads because of their resistance to shock and durability. They are also used to deliver petroleum and is anti-corrosive when working with water.
Recyclable:
Steel, no matter if it’s carbon steel or stainless steel, can be recycled and most of it usually is. In fact, steel is recycled more than paper, plastic and glass combined, with 70 percent of all steel used being recycled.
Types of Carborn Steel:
Low Carbon Steel:
Composition of 0.05%-0.25% carbon and up to 0.4% manganese. Also known as mild steel, it is a low-cost material that is easy to shape. While not as hard as higher-carbon steels, carburizing can increase its surface hardness.
Medium Carbon Steel:
Composition of 0.29%-0.54% carbon, with 0.60%-1.65% manganese. Medium carbon steel is ductile and strong, with long-wearing properties.
High Carbon Steel:
Composition of 0.55%-0.95% carbon, with 0.30%-0.90% manganese. It is very strong and holds shape memory well, making it ideal for springs and wire.
Very High Carbon Steel:
Composition of 0.96%-2.1% carbon. Its high carbon content makes it an extremely strong material. Due to its brittleness, this grade requires special handling.
