Carbon steel is one of the most inexpensive and widely available alloys, but many consumers don’t know much about it. If they want to have parts fabricated using Carbon Steel in Seattle, WA, business owners, and general consumers should try to understand what the material is and what it is used for. Read on to find out about carbon steel.
What is Carbon Steel?
Carbon steel is a metal alloy that contains at least 0.12% of carbon and does not have measurable amounts of other substances such as nickel, titanium, cobalt, chromium, tungsten, zirconium, molybdenum, or niobium. The maximum amount of copper that can be in a carbon steel alloy is 0.4%, and these alloys must contain less than 1.65% manganese. To complicate things further, the term carbon steel can also apply to pretty much any steel that isn’t stainless steel, although those working in the metal fabrication industry tend not to use this more general definition.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The more carbon steel has in it, the stronger the metal is when it is heat treated. Carbon steel is also harder than regular steel, though, which means it is less ductile and malleable. Steel that has more carbon in it also has a lower melting point, which makes it less weldable. Carbon steel can be used for a wide variety of uses depending on its carbon content.
Carbon Content
There are four general classes of Carbon Steel in Seattle, WA buyers might choose to use. Low-carbon steel is the most popular variety as it contains only 0.3% carbon and is very tough without sacrificing malleability and ductility. Medium-carbon steel is stronger, but it’s also more difficult to weld and cut as it contains a carbon level of up to 0.6%.
High-carbon steel falls next on the spectrum, containing up to 1% carbon, which makes it very difficult to work with. It’s rare to see ultra-high-carbon steel, which contains as much as 2% carbon, used in industrial applications as it is quite brittle and cannot be cold-worked. Higher-carbon steels are used primarily to fabricate cutting tools, punches, dies, high-strength wire, large machine parts, hot water radiators, and industrial castings.
Learn More Today
Need to have parts fabricated of carbon steel and not sure where to turn? Specialty Metals offers a wide array of in-house metal fabrication services. Readers can Click Here to learn more about then today.
