Different types of steel are produced according to the properties required for their application. Based on the properties of steel, various grading systems are used to distinguish between the types of steel. The carbon content in steel can range from 0.1 - 1.5%, but the most widely used grades of steel contain about 0.1 - 0.25% carbon.
Different grades of steel encompass unique physical, chemical, and environmental properties. Steel is composed of iron and carbon. However, it is the amount of carbon along with the level of impurities and additional alloying elements that determine the properties of each steel grade.
Let’s take a look at some types of steel grades:
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is highly valued for its high corrosion resistance. It generally contains between 10-20% chromium as the main alloying element. Steel is 200 times more resistant to corrosion than mild steel with over 11% of chromium content. Based on their crystalline structure, steels are divided into three groups - Austenitic, Ferritic, and Martensitic Steel.
Alloy Steel
Alloy steel contains manganese, nickel, titanium, chromium, aluminum, silicon, and copper in varying proportions to manipulate the properties of steel. Properties like corrosion resistance, strength, formability, weldability, ductility, and hardenability vary depending on the proportions of various alloys. Alloy steels are used in pipelines, transformers, electric motors, power generators, and auto parts.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel contains amounts of alloy metals and accounts for 90% of steel production. Depending on the carbon content, carbon steels can be further categorized into three groups - Low Carbon Steels (up to 0.3% carbon), Medium Carbon Steels (0.3 - 0.6% carbon), High Carbon Steels (more than 0.6% carbon)
Tool Steel
Tool steel usually contains molybdenum, cobalt, tungsten, and vanadium in varying quantities to increase heat resistance and durability. These qualities make tool steel ideal for cutting and drilling equipment. Steel products can be divided by their shapes and related applications. Usually, steel products can also be divided by their shapes and related applications:
- Long / Tubular products such as bars and rods, rails, wires, angles, pipes, and shapes and sections. Most of these products are commonly used in the automotive and construction sectors.
- Flat products are like sheets, plates, strips, and coils. These products are used in packaging, shipbuilding, automotive, and construction industries.
- For various other products such as fittings, flanges, and valves which are extensively used as piping materials.
Professional fabricators at Northern Weldarc are thoroughly trained to fabricate steel in order to produce various structural steel products. With the help of all the latest fabrication tools and equipment, we offer the best fabrication services to all our clients. We mostly specialize in the oil and gas, commercial, pulp and paper and petrochemical industries. If you’re looking for information regarding structural steel and its applications, you can always get in touch with us to know more.
