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carbon steels
High Carbon
Composition
0.8-2% Carbon
Common Shapes
High Carbon Steels are commonly available in:
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Sheets and Plates
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Welded & Seamless Tubes and Pipes
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Structural profiles
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Wire
-
Rods
-
Bars
-
Fittings
(Not all alloys or tempers available in all shapes)
Characteristics
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The strongest of the Carbon Steels
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The least ductile and cold-workable Carbon Steel
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High wear resistance
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Excellent strength gains from heat treatment
Uses
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Springs
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High tensile wire
Weldability
High Carbon Steels are not suitable for welding, due to their high Carbon content.
Machinability
The high Carbon content of High Carbon Steel renders the metal too brittle to be successfully machined.
Commonly Used Alloys (SAE)
1055-1095 | 1137-1151 | 1561-1572
Medium Carbon
Composition
0.61%-1.5% Carbon
Common Shapes
Medium Carbon Steels are commonly available in:
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Sheets and Plates
-
Welded & Seamless Tubes and Pipes
-
Structural profiles
-
Wire
-
Rods
-
Bars
-
Fittings
(Not all alloys or tempers available in all shapes)
Characteristics
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Stronger than mild steel
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Reduced ductility
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Good response to heat treatment for the purpose of increasing strength
Uses
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Used for large parts
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Forgings
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Automotive products
Weldability
As the Carbon content of Carbon Steels increases, the weldability decreases, therefore Medium Carbon Steel is not best suited to welding.
Machinability
Medium Carbon Steels are machinable, as long as care is taken with machine cutting speeds and feeds.
Commonly Used Alloys (SAE)
1040 | 1045 | 1141 | 1144
Low Carbon (Mild Steel)
Composition
0.04%-0.30% Carbon
Common Shapes
Low Carbon Steels are commonly available in:
-
Sheets and Plates
-
Tubes and Pipes
-
Wire
-
Rods
-
Bars
(Not all alloys or tempers available in all shapes)
Characteristics
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Easy formability
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Easy to cut
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Low corrosion resistance
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Excellent cold-workability
Uses
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Car bodies
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Nails
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Rivets
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Screws
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Rebar
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General fabrication
Commonly Used Alloys (SAE)
1005-1026 | 1108-1119 | 1211-1215
1513-1527
Weldability
Welding of Mild Steel is easily achieved via both GMAW and GTAW welding practices.
Machinability
Mild Steels are not easily machined- if they must be, a cutting speed no greater than 30.48m/minute is recommended.
Integ Metals // Materials // Steel // Carbon Steel
