What Are the Different Types Of Steel?

Types Of Steel?

Carbon steel

Stainless steel

Alloy steel

Tool steel

1. Carbon steel

Although all steel contains carbon, carbon steel is characterized by the notable absence of other elements in its composition. Although it contains only 2% carbon or less, the elemental nature of carbon steel makes it a strong and durable material, ideal for various uses.

Carbon steel is sometimes confused with cast iron, but both have a marked difference in their elemental composition. Carbon steel should contain less than 2% carbon, while cast iron contains between 2 and 3.5%. This extra carbon gives cast iron its rough texture and brittleness.

Although carbon steel is made of alloy metals, there is no alloy classification because it does not contain other alloying elements such as cobalt, nickel, tungsten or titanium.

Types Of Carbon Steel

Below the 2% carbon threshold, carbon steel can be divided into three categories: low, medium and high carbon. Each type retains the inherent strength of carbon, but its usefulness changes as the carbon content increases.

Low carbon: A carbon content of 0.30% or less is considered low-carbon steel. It is the most common and economical type of steel. Because of its elasticity under load, manufacturers use low-carbon steel for wires, bolts, and pipes.
Medium carbon: A carbon content between 0.31% and 0.60% gives this grade higher strength and lower ductility, meaning it is less malleable under pressure. Medium carbon steel is often found in gears and railroad tracks.
High carbon: The hardest grade contains more than 0.61% carbon and is often used to make solid construction materials and tools, such as brick nails and sharp cutting tools, such as trencher blades. They do not contain more than 2% carbon.

2. Stainless Steel

This type is commonly known for its role in the manufacturing of medical devices and equipment, but its use extends far beyond the kitchen gas stove. Chromium is the alloy that characterizes stainless steel and gives the material its distinctive shine.

Chromium is more than just a cosmetic additive; However, the element resists oxidation and increases the longevity of the metal by preventing it from rusting. Typically, stainless steel has a chromium content between 10.5% and 30%.

Higher chromium content directly translates into higher gloss and greater corrosion resistance when polishing. High chromium stainless steels are often confused with chromium. However, stainless steel differs from chromium because it contains chromium, nickel, and other metals in the alloy. Chromium is carbon steel (or other metal) to which the manufacturer adds an outer layer of chromium.

Another striking difference is that chrome has a mirror-like appearance, while high-chrome stainless steel applications are still shiny but less reflective.

Types Of Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is commonly used in kitchen appliances, medical tools, and automotive applications, but stainless steel is popular for other uses as well. Stainless steel is divided into four subcategories, each of which serves a different purpose.

Martensitic alloys: Toughness is a characteristic of martensitic alloys, but they are susceptible to corrosion. Manufacturers create these alloys through a rapid quenching process, making them ideal for medical instruments, cutlery, and tweezers.
Ferritic alloys: These are cheaper steels with small amounts of carbon and nickel. Car manufacturers use ferritic alloys linked to chromium for their strength and shine.
Austenitic alloys: Austenitic alloys have a higher chromium and nickel content, which improves their corrosion resistance and makes them non-magnetic. They are found in commercial kitchen appliances because they are durable and easy to clean.
Duplex alloys: A combination of austenitic and ferritic alloys results in a duplex alloy that acquires the properties of both and doubles its strength. Due to their relatively high chromium content, they are also ductile and corrosion-resistant. Duplex alloys are commonly used in instruments and pipes used in the gas, oil and chemical industries.

3. Alloy Steel

Alloy steel is iron fused with one of many other elements, each of which contributes its unique properties to the final product. In reality, all steels are alloys, but carbon and chromium are special alloys whose names come from the type of metal they are made from.

The group of alloy steels includes a wide range of alloys with equally different properties. Shipping containers use a complex alloy that combines several elements to create a durable product. Silicon is not often thought of as a component of steel, but its magnetic properties make it an ideal component for most large machines. Aluminium is versatile and is used in revolutionary building materials that are lightweight and extremely durable.

Some of the elements that combine with iron and carbon to form alloys are also found in tool steels: cobalt, tungsten, and molybdenum, for example, are ultra-hard metals sought after for their impact resistance and ability to court.

Types Of Alloy Steel

The diverse potential of alloy steels allows intensive adaptation to specific applications. However, because the secondary elements involved are not as common as carbon or chromium, some alloys are expensive.

The most common alloys include:

Aluminium: Lightweight, heat-resistant, ductile and easy-to-process steel, commonly used in hot exhaust systems and power generators.
Copper: Corrosion-resistant steel that conducts heat very efficiently, making it ideal for electrical wiring and industrial heat exchangers.
Manganese: Shock-resistant and extremely durable steel. It is found in bulletproof cabinets, anti-drill panels and heavy-duty safes.
Molybdenum: Weldable, corrosion-resistant steel that performs well under high pressure, making it suitable for subsea structures or oil and gas pipelines.
Silicon: Malleable and highly magnetic mild steel. Silicon creates powerful permanent magnets that power plants need for their electrical transformers.
Vanadium: High-impact steel that absorbs shock and resists vibrations. Automotive parts, such as shock absorbers and springs, often require vanadium.

4. Tool Steel

Tool steels are exactly what they say they are: they are a type of high-carbon steel designed specifically for use in the manufacture of tools such as drills, saw blades, and tool bits. Tool steel alloys (along with other metals such as tungsten, chromium and vanadium) improve their strength, hardness and resistance to wear and corrosion.
Quenching, which involves applying a lot of heat, rapidly cooling, and then reheating, creates an extremely hard, heat-resistant tool steel. Tool steels are abrasive and can withstand high-stress environments.

Types of Tool Steel

Different types of tools require different types of tool steel in production. Tool steel is used in a variety of ways to best meet the production needs of a particular tool. The added elements determine which specific applications it is suitable for.

Air cooling: The high chromium content of this steel allows it to be exposed to high temperatures without deforming.
Water Hardening: This steel is quenched with water during use, is used to make common tools, and is the least expensive tool steel.
Oil-tempered: This oil-tempered steel is highly wear-resistant and is used to make knives and scissors.
High-speed steel: High-speed steel is highly abrasive and impact-resistant. It is found in drills and chainsaws.
Hot Work: The name suggests it, but this steel can withstand extreme heat and is used for forging and casting.
Impact resistant: Small amounts of carbon, silicon and molybdenum harden this steel and are suitable for punching and riveting tools.

These types can be differentiated according to the industry in which they are used, as well as their hardness and toughness.

What Are the Different Types Of Steel?

What Are the Different Types Of Steel?

Types Of Steel?

Carbon steel

Stainless steel

Alloy steel

Tool steel

1. Carbon steel

Types Of Carbon Steel

2. Stainless Steel

Types Of Stainless Steel

3. Alloy Steel

Types Of Alloy Steel

4. Tool Steel

Types of Tool Steel

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