Steel is an iron alloy that contains a small amount of carbon, usually between 0.15% and 2%. The carbon content of steel makes it stronger while increasing its resistance to breaking. It may also contain other elements that improve its qualities, including silicon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and oxygen. For example, stainless steel, which resists oxidation and corrosion, typically contains 11% chromium.
What are the different types of steel?
Steels are not limited to certain typical materials; they come in different types for different applications. Steel is one of the most durable materials in the world, lasting up to 100 years in every construction project. Some of the most common types of construction steel are beams, flanges, webs, angles, plates, channels, angles, etc. Different steel parts are good examples of various types of steel.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is popularly used because of its strength and corrosion resistance. In addition, stainless steel is popular for its excellent aesthetics, easy cleaning, and recyclable properties. Depending on its composition, stainless steel contains more than 10% chromium and small amounts of other materials. Some of the most common stainless steel grades are 304, 316, 430, 409, and 304L.
Applications: Automotive, transportation, medical, construction, food industries, and manufacturing.
Carbon steel
Typical carbon steel contains up to 2.1 wt.% carbon. It is an iron-carbon alloy that usually also contains manganese. Carbon steel is divided into high-carbon steel, medium-carbon steel, and low-carbon steel. The higher the carbon content, the higher the hardness, strength, and wear resistance of the steel. The lower the carbon content, the softer and more ductile it is.
Mild Steel: It is the most popular carbon steel with a carbon content of less than 0.25 wt.%. Heat treatment does not apply to this type of steel. The most common applications of mild steel are automotive parts, structural beams, shafts, pipes, food cans, etc.
Medium Carbon Steel: This type of carbon steel contains 0.25 to 0.60 wt.% carbon content and 0.60 to 1.65 wt.% manganese content. Heat treatment is the main surface treatment of medium carbon steel. The most common applications of medium carbon steel are railway lines, train wheels, crankshafts, gears, machine parts, etc.
High Carbon Steel: This type of carbon steel has a carbon content between 0.60 to 1.25 wt.% and manganese content between 0.30 to 0.90 wt.%. High carbon steel is the hardest among the other carbon steels. The most common examples of high-carbon steel are cutting tools, high-end springs, strong wires, and dies.
Alloy steel
Alloy steels are known for their improved hardenability and strength. This type of steel contains various elements such as aluminum, bismuth, boron, chromium, copper, mechanical and physical properties. On the other hand, depending on the content of other elements, alloy steels are of two types: low alloy steel and high alloy steel.
Application: Low alloy steels are known for their extreme strength, machinability, budget price, and versatility. The most common uses of alloy steels are military equipment and vehicles, ships, pipelines, hydraulic equipment, industry equipment structural components, etc. On the other hand, high alloy steels are more expensive and require high-quality manufacturing processes. Some of the most common applications of high alloy steels are structural components, automotive parts, chemical equipment, engine support, and power plant equipment.
Tool steel
Tool steels are often known for tool manufacturing. Since these steels are hard, heat-resistant, and wear-resistant, they are ideal for use as tool components. This steel is a high-quality carbon and alloy steel that is ideal for cutting and reaming some materials such as metal, wood, and plastic. Tool steels are usually furnace-melted and processed to obtain the required shapes for different tool components.
Application: Different types of tools such as forming, punching, and cutting are the most common applications of tool steel. In addition, this steel is also popular in the extrusion of plastic parts, slitting of steel coils, and casting molds.
Steel is the world’s most popular building and manufacturing material. Many things around you are made of steel. But the physical and chemical properties of all these steels are not the same.
DMTC manufacturing is well known for manufacturing all popular types of steel: Stainless Steel Parts, Carbon Steel Parts, Alloy Steel Parts, and Manganese Steel Parts. If you require any steel parts, please contact us now. Our professional engineers are waiting to provide you with the best steel parts for your application.
