Carbon Steel: Properties, Uses, And Advantages

What Is Carbon Steel?

                The history of steel as a component is fascinating. It is not naturally occurring but made by smelting iron ore. Similar to steel production, carbon steel is made by smelting iron ore. Unlike regular steel, however, carbon steel contains some amount of carbon and a small amount of other elements like manganese and silicon. It's stronger and harder than regular steel, but less ductile (meaning it's not as good at bending without breaking).

What Are The Different Types Of Carbon Steel?

                Carbon steel is created by adding carbon to the iron while it is melting. Carbon is added to the molten iron, and the resulting alloy is then poured into moulds and allowed to cool and solidify. The amount of carbon added to the iron determines the type of steel that's produced, with carbon steel containing between 0.05% and 2.1% carbon. The addition of carbon to iron imparts desirable properties like increased strength, hardness, and resistance to wear and corrosion.

                Based on the quantity of carbon added to the iron during the process of steel-making, there are three types of carbon steel available in the market.

Low-Carbon Steel

Low-carbon steel is the little brother of regular steel, with a carbon content of less than 0.3%. It's known for its malleability and ductility (meaning it's easy to shape and bend without breaking), making it ideal for use in products that require flexibility and formability.

Uses of low-carbon steel generally include automobile panels, structural steel pipes and wires.

Medium-carbon steel

Medium-carbon steel has a carbon content of around 0.3% to 0.6%. This makes it stronger and harder than low-carbon steel, but not as strong as high-carbon steel. It's often used in applications where strength is important, but so is the ability to be machined and welded.

Because of this, uses of medium-carbon steel can be seen in various machinery parts gears, shafts, axles, bolts, crankshafts, couplings, etc.

High-carbon steel

With a carbon content of 0.6% to 1.5%, high-carbon steel is the strongest and hardest type of steel available. Because of its strength, uses of high-carbon steel can be seen in various cutting tools like saws, drill bits, knives, blades, etc.

What Are The Different Carbon Steel Products?

Carbon Steel Flanges

Carbon steel flanges are connectors made of carbon steel that are used to join pipes and other components in piping systems. They're commonly used in industrial and commercial settings because of their strength, durability, and affordability.

Carbon Steel Welded Fittings

Carbon steel welded fittings are pipe fittings that are made by welding pieces of carbon steel together to create various shapes like elbows, tees, and reducers. They're widely used in the construction of piping systems for their strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

Carbon Steel Threaded Fittings

Carbon steel threaded fittings, as the name suggests, are pipe fittings with threaded ends that can be screwed into place. They're commonly used in low-pressure applications where joining pipes doesn't require welding.

Carbon Steel Valves

Carbon steel valves are used to control the flow of fluids (liquids or gases) in a piping system. They're made of carbon steel, which provides high strength and corrosion resistance. There are several types of carbon steel valves, including ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves and butterfly valves.

Carbon Steel Pipes

Carbon steel pipes are a type of piping material commonly used in various industries. They're made from carbon steel, which is a strong and durable material that's easy to manufacture. Carbon steel pipes are typically seamless, meaning they're made from a single piece of steel with no welds or seams.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Carbon Steel