Types of Steel Materials
Steel is the base of heavy equipment, household items and tools. It plays a significant role in construction and manufacturing. However there are a variety of steels that are created equal; the type of steel you select for a project can significantly impact its strength and durability.
The amount of impurities and/or additions determines the classification. This is what makes every type unique for specific application.
Low-carbon steels, which are offered in a variety of forms are the most commonly employed steels by metal fabricators. They can be found in beams, pipes, and other structural elements. They’re also great for welding fabrications due to their ability to be easily shaped and formed without sacrificing strength or quality.
The medium-carbon steels are known for their hardness and have a carbon content less than 1.75%. They’re the top choice for knives, cookware, and other durable tools. They’re also widely used to create car parts and other mechanical equipment.
High-carbon steels have more than 1.7% carbon and are often used to make machine parts that require extraordinary durability and resistance to corrosion. This includes anchor bolts, tools, and rods.
Alloy steels possess a broad variety of useful properties that can be altered to meet the needs of each specific application. For instance, tungsten improves the strength at high temperatures and wear resistance of high-strength steels. Chromium improves the heat resistance of stainless steels and improves their ductility. Molybdenum, on the other hand, enhances the toughness and hardness of alloy steels.
