The Grade and Application of Carbon Steel

2020-06-09 11:37:38

definitions of carbon steel

The more carbon there is in steel, the harder and stronger it gets when heat treated. But it also becomes less ductile, which means it loses strength when deformed and isn’t as malleable. With or without heat treatment, a higher carbon content in steel makes the metal less weldable, and the more carbon there is, the lower the melting point.

1.Carbon structural steel

It has a lower requirements when smelting, the carbon composition in an range of 0.06% to 0.38% and the steel with many impurities. However, the price is very cheap. Generally, the steel used for mechanical parts and general engineering components with low requirements

2. Improved Carbon Structural Steel 

The high quality carbon structural steel with less impurities such as phosphorus and

 Sulfur, has a better intensity, plasticity and ductility compared with carbon structural steel. So it mostly apply for important mechanical components.

3.Carbon tool steel

This steel contains a higher carbon (WC=0.65% to 1.35%), less impurities. The steel has

 High hardness, good wear resistance, but low plasticity. Mainly used for cutting tools, measuring tools and molds with low requirements

4.Cast-steel

There are many mechanical parts with complex shape and high mechanical properties in production, which are difficult to be manufactured by forging or cutting, usually made of cast steel. The carbon content of cast steel is generally in the range of 0.15% - 0.6%. If the carbon content is too high, the plasticity of the steel is poor and cracks are easy to occur during casting.