carbon steel
Material Range
Carbon steel
Carbon steel is an iron-carbon alloy, which contains up to 2.1 wt.% carbon. For carbon steels, there is no minimum specified content of other alloying elements, however, they often contain manganese. The maximum manganese, silicon and copper content should be less than 1.65 wt.%, 0.6 wt.% and 0.6 wt.%, respectively.
LOW CARBON STEEL
Typically contain 0.04% to 0.30% carbon content. This is one of the largest groups of Carbon Steel. It covers a great diversity of shapes; from Flat Sheet to Structural Beam. Depending on the desired properties needed, other elements are added or increased. For example: Drawing Quality (DQ) – The carbon level is kept low and Aluminum is added, and for Structural Steel the carbon level is higher and the manganese content is increased.
MEDIUM CARBON STEEL
Typically has a carbon range of 0.31% to 0.60%, and a manganese content ranging from .060% to 1.65%. This product is stronger than low carbon steel, and it is more difficult to form, weld and cut. Medium carbon steels are quite often hardened and tempered using heat treatment.
HIGH CARBON STEEL
Commonly known as “carbon tool steel” it typically has a carbon range between 0.61% and 1.50%. High carbon steel is very difficult to cut, bend and weld. Once heat treated it becomes extremely hard and brittle.
Grades
- ASTM A53 GR. B
- ASTM A106GR. B
- ASTM A333 GR. B
- ASTM 1010 GR.B
- ASTM 1020 GR.B
- ASTM 1030 GR.B
- ASTM 1040 GR.B
- ASTM 1080 GR.B
Chemical composition
| Grades | C | Mn | P | S | Cu | Ni | Cr | Mo | Si |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A53 GR.B | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.05 | 0.045 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.08 | - |
| A106 GR.B | 0.15 | 0.3 | 0.29-1.06 | 0.035 | 0.4 | 0.15 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.035 |