Carbon steel has different grades with different properties and fabricators use specific carbon steel grades for specific projects as per the requirements. Each type of steel has different advantages over others. However, the main difference between these steel grades is the amount of carbon mixed with iron during the production process. There are many additives added to change the properties such as tensile strength, toughness, resistance to temperature and ductility. Generally, there are three distinctions made between carbon steel types- low carbon steel, medium carbon steel and high carbon steel.
Low Carbon Steel:
The normal range of the carbon content in low carbon steel is between 0.03 to 0.08%. there are many applications where low carbon steel is used such as the making of kitchen equipment, silverware, and un-plated steel. It has excellent weldability and formability. It has low tensile strength and does not cost much. It is highly used in bending, crimping and swaging processes. It has high surface hardness and it makes low carbon steel preferable in making of liners, machinery parts, special bolts, ratchets, chain pins, oil tool slips, tie rods, anchor pins and studs.
Medium Carbon Steel
In medium carbon steel, the carbon content ranges from 0.25% to 0.60% and it is generally used in conjunction with different alloys such as molybdenum, chromium, and nickel. Medium carbon steel has the excellently high strength and wears resistance. It is also used in making appliances where toughness is required. You can find medium carbon steel in components and products such as gears, axles, studs and other mechanical equipment where strength and hardness are required.
One of the highly used medium carbon steel grades is AISI 1045 with superior machining characteristics. If a certain application requires hardness, AISI 1045 can be hardened by applying the heat approximately 820-850C (1508 -1562 F). It is held until it reaches the uniform temperature.
High Carbon Steel:
High carbon steel grades are hardest and strongest among all three types of steels. Generally, the carbon content is between 0.60% and 1.4% of the total weight. However, high carbon steel grades are ductile too. With heating and tempering, it can be hardened too. Generally, these steel grades are used in manufacturing different mechanical, cutting and bearing components.
52100 is one of the premium high carbon steel grades that is used in making linear shifting. To add hardness and corrosion resistance, chromium and manganese are added in the composition of 52100 steel.
There are two standard institutions that designate steel alloys- American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Both these institutions have a different methodology to classify and identify the steel alloys. AISI has a method that gives a four-digit system, in which, the first two digits are the alloy and the second two digits show the carbon content.
ASTM has a unique system where A is used to identify ferrous materials and then an assigned number follows.
This classification is very important to ensure that the proper steel grade is used for particular engineered products and applications. Also, it helps engineers and metal fabricators to identify and choose a right alloy.
Conclusion:
For your DIY projects, you can use carbon steel grades to a great extent. You can choose a right carbon steel and hire a metal fabricator such as MetalsCut4U.com for your custom metal fabrication requirements.
