Did you know that there are about 3,500 types of steel according to their chemical, physical and environmental properties? Each one is unique on its own. Telling one from another may be a bit of a challenge, but their unique features will make the process more comfortable for you. In essence, all types of steel are the same. They are composed of carbon and iron, though it is the amount of carbon and other additional alloys that make the difference in the steel grade.
The amount of carbon contained in each one ranges from 0.1 to 1.5%. But the most popularly used steel only has about 0.1 to 0.25% of carbon content. Other elements can also be found in steel. Phosphorus, sulfur, and manganese are just some of the elements that make up steel. Although the presence of manganese can be beneficial to the metal, the other two may cause the strength and durability of steel to deteriorate over time.
Different types of steels are produced with its properties closely associated with the type of application they will be used for. Their grading system is the one that helps identify which form the steel can be used for. In truth, there are four categories where iron could fall under. Such categorization is based on the chemical composition of the steel. Here they are in a list:
· Alloy Steel
· Carbon Steel
· Tool Steels
· Stainless Steel
Carbon Steel
If you are wondering which of these four are the most produced, then that’s carbon steel you are looking at. Carbon steel contains other alloying elements. In fact, the other alloy content of carbon steel has created three further subdivisions of this type:
· Low Carbon Steel – it only contains up to 0.3% of carbon. The rest of it is made from other alloying elements.
· Medium Carbon Steel – it contains more than 0.3% of carbon up to 0.6%
· High Carbon Steel – it provides a higher amount of carbon that could range from 0.6% and higher.
Did you know that most steel products available in the market are made from carbon steel? They make up most of the infrastructure that is found around you.
Alloy Steels
This type of steel is made up of various elements including manganese, nickel, silicon, titanium, and copper. These alloying elements come in varying proportions based on the properties of steel needed for the use it is intended for. Resistance, corrosion, and harness are achieved based on the combination of various alloying elements. Most alloy steels are used for auto parts, pipelines, power generators and electric transformers.
Now, which of these two types of steel do you think you need?
