Steel is one of the most versatile construction and manufacturing materials available for a number of reasons, including its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, durability and adaptability to a wide range of applications. It is also very easy to obtain commercially, thanks to a well-established production process and standardised grading, ensuring consistent quality and availability worldwide. However, if you’re relatively new to working with steel, you may still be unfamiliar with the different grades of steel. In this post, we take a closer look at the key characteristics of some of the most popular grades of commercially available steel.
Carbon Steel
One of the ways that steel is typically classified is by its composition. Carbon steel refers to steel that consists primarily of carbon and iron, with the carbon ranging from 0.05% to 2%. The amount of carbon in the steel is what primarily affects the steel’s characteristics, as it can influence the hardness, strength and durability of the steel. Carbon steel can generally be subdivided into several grades, including:
- Low Carbon Steel: Low carbon steel contains anywhere up to 0.3% carbon. This low amount of carbon means that the steel remains relatively soft, making it easy to form and weld and making it ideal for construction and manufacturing.
- Medium Carbon Steel: Medium carbon steel contains between 0.3% and 0.6% carbon, and this gives it a little more strength compared to low carbon steel. It is more commonly used in automotive parts and machinery where a good balance of strength and ductility is necessary.
- High Carbon Steel: High carbon steel usually contains between 0.6% and 1% carbon, but can sometimes contain up to 2% carbon. This grade of steel has the highest strength but the lowest ductility and is most commonly used for cutting tools and springs.
Alloy Steel
Another one of the most popular commercially available grades of steel is alloy steel, which refers to steel that contains other alloying materials such as chromium and nickel to enhance properties such as strength and toughness. Depending on the alloying materials, the characteristics of the steel may vary. Common grades of alloy steel include:
- 4140 Steel: This grade of steel contains chromium and molybdenum and is known for its high strength and fatigue resistance.
- Corten Steel: Corten steel is another steel alloy that develops a protective rust layer on its surface, making it ideal for structural applications such as bridges with exposed architectural features.
Get Your Steel from RW Steel
If you’re looking to get some steel or steel sections for your building or construction project, RW Steel can help. We are the leading supplier of steel in Melbourne, and we have a wide selection of steel for you to choose from, ranging from retaining wall steel H beams to galvanised steel posts. If you’ve still got any questions on steel grades, our experts would also be more than happy to help. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help with all of your steel needs!