As the backbone of heavy equipment, tools, and household items, steel plays a significant part in construction and manufacturing. However not all steels are created equal. The kind of steel you select for a project can significantly influence its strength and durability.
While all steels start as carbon and iron however, the amount of impurities and other additions determine how each one is classified. This is what makes every kind unique for a specific use.
Low-carbon steels, available in a variety of forms, are the most frequently employed steels by metal fabricators. They are found in beams, pipes, and other structural elements. They’re also perfect for welded fabrications due to their ability to be easily formed and shaped without compromising its strength or quality.
Medium-carbon steels have less than 1.75 percent carbon content and are well-known for their toughness. They are the ideal choice for cookware and durable equipment. They’re also used to make car parts and other mechanical equipment.
High-carbon steels contain more than 1.7 percent carbon. They are commonly used in machine parts that require exceptional strength and resistance to corrosion. These include anchor bolts rods and tools.
Alloy steels have a wide range of useful properties that can be modified to meet the demands of each specific application. For instance, tungsten enhances the strength of temperature and wear resistance of high-strength steels. Chromium improves the ductility and strength of stainless steels and increases their heat resistance. Molybdenum, on contrary, increases the toughness and durability of alloy steels.