Facts About Steel Grades and Classifications

Posted on October 18, 2022 by admin

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, and sometimes other elements. Iron is the base metal of steel. Steel also contains varying amounts of other elements, such as manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, and silicon. These impurities alter the steel’s properties, which is why there are many types of steel with different strengths and applications. The amount of carbon in steel affects its hardness, strength, and durability. Because of its high tensile strength and low cost, it is a major component used in buildings, infrastructure, tools, ships, automobiles, machines, appliances, and weapons.

In this blog, we will explore some fundamental facts about the different kinds of steel, including varying grades, classifications, and more.

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Soft Steel Versus Hard Steel

Different types of steel are produced according to the properties required for their application. The strength of steel can be increased by adding alloys such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum. Steel with a low carbon content is known as soft steel, while higher-carbon steels are referred to as hard steels. The hardness of a steel is usually increased by heat treatment, which involves heating the steel to a high temperature and then cooling it rapidly. This process increases the steel’s strength and hardness, but it can also make the steel more brittle.

Most Prominent Grades of Steel

There are many different grades and types of steel, each with its own properties and applications. The most common steels are low-carbon steel, high-carbon steel, tool steel, alloy steel, spring steel and stainless steel.

Low-carbon steels are the most widely used type of steel. They have a carbon content of less than 0.25% and are very ductile. They are used for making auto parts, machine parts, pipes, railway tracks etc.

High-carbon steels have a carbon content of 0.55-1.0%. They are very strong and hard, but also brittle. They are used for making knives, cutting tools, springs etc.

Tool steels are high-carbon steels that contain one or more alloying elements (manganese, chromium, vanadium, or tungsten) in addition to carbon. They are very hard and tough, and are used for making cutting tools, drill bits etc.

Alloy steels are steels that contain one or more alloying elements (manganese, silicon, nickel, titanium etc.) in addition to carbon. They have different properties from carbon steels, and are used for making auto parts, machine parts, pipes etc.

Spring steels are low-carbon or medium-carbon steels that are used for making springs. They have a high carbon content (0.5-1.0%) and are very strong and tough.

Stainless steels are alloys of iron, chromium, and sometimes other elements (nickel, molybdenum, titanium etc.), that resist corrosion and oxidation. The chromium content of stainless steel ranges from 10% to 30%. Stainless steels are used for making kitchen utensils, surgical instruments, food processing equipment etc.

The recycling of steel is one of the most efficient and effective ways to reduce environmental pollution and conserve energy. Contact Zore’s Recycling division at 317-244-0700 to get paid cash on the spot for scrap metal recycling services in Indianapolis, Indiana.

FAQS About the Grades of Carbon Steel

Posted on October 14, 2021 by admin

Carbon steel is one of the most useful metal commodities we have in the world. Numerous industries rely on carbon steel because it is extremely affordable and retains terrific mechanical properties. If you have a project that involves using carbon steel, you have chosen an excellent metal to work with; however, it is important to know which grade of carbon steel to choose for your intended application.

Continue reading to learn some helpful answers to the most frequently asked questions about carbon steel and its variety of grades available.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Steel

What is the Composition of Carbon Steel?

The makeup of carbon steel is generally a combination of carbon, iron, and other trace elements. Measured in weight, most carbon steel usually retains between 0.05% and 2% carbon.

Which Grades of Carbon Steel Have Good Machinability?

When it comes to machining carbon steel, there are some grades that work well, and others that prove a bit challenging. For instance, grades with lower carbon content are easily machined, such as C1010 and C1018. Even grades with slightly high carbon content have decent machinability, like C1041 and C1044. On the other hand, grades like C1045 have a very high carbon content without any additional elements to assist in machining; so, it is a poor selection for applications that involve machining.

Which Grades of Carbon Steel Can Be Welded?

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Just like machinability, there are several types of CS that can be welded, and several others that are not great choices for welding applications. Grades that contain high machinability, like C1041 and C1044, are generally poor at welding. That is because they contain sulfur that will lead to weld solidification cracks. But if you choose a lower grade, like C1010 or A36, you will have no trouble with welding. If you use higher grades, like C1045, you will likely require preheat or post-weld heat treatments.

How Strong is Carbon Steel?

If the carbon content is low, the tensile strength is generally also low. If it is high, then the tensile strength should be high. If you project requires sufficient strength, a low-grade is not a good choice. Instead, choose a higher strength carbon steel, like C1045. If you need strength and formability, you can choose a high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA) that contains low carbon but designed to still retain high strength capacities.

Is Carbon Steel Resistant to Corrosion?

Carbon steel is a ferrous metal, which means it contains iron. Accordingly, when exposed to certain elements, like oxygen and water, the metals will oxidize and rust will form. And rust weakens the structural integrity of metal, which then leads to corrosion. If your metal application requires a resistance to corrosion, you are better off choosing a galvanized or plated carbon steel that contains chromium or some other corrosive-resistant agent. Also, painting carbon steel helps to prevent corrosion.

How Do I Dispose of Scrap Steel?

If you have leftover construction scrap or scrap steel materials, you can sell it all for cash on the spot! Contact Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 for profitable scrap metal recycling services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer free-haul away for bulk steel materials, like construction scrap and farming scrap.

How to Support Steel Sustainability

Posted on January 28, 2020 by admin

When it comes to steel manufacturing, the North American economy has a lot to be thankful for. Not only is steel a highly valuable and versatile element that delivers a wide range of qualities that can be applied to infinite industries and initiatives, it is 100% recyclable. In fact, many new steel products are likely to contain anywhere from 25% to 100% of recycled material. If you wish to help support our economy’s steel sustainability efforts, metal recycling is the easiest and quickest way to start contributing.

Continue reading to learn some important facts about steel and steel manufacturing, including how metal recycling can help the environment, your local community, and even your bank account.

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Facts About Steel

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, but sometimes contains other alloys, such as manganese or nickel, depending on the grade of steel it is. Accordingly, it’s properties will vary depending on the particular elements it contains. Mostly, iron is the base metal of all steel. However, when iron is melted down from ore, it retains more carbon than necessary. So, in order to become steel, the carbon must be reduced through reprocessing. Then other elements can be added to make it a certain type of steel.

Steel can be organized into four categories depending on certain physical, chemical, and environmental properties; all of which are determined by the amount of carbon and any additional alloys. These classifications of steel include carbon, alloy, stainless and tool. See our blog, “The Four Categories of Steel” to learn facts about each type of steel.

Steel is light in weight, yet retains high tensile strength. It is also magnetic, or ferrous. Because of its useful qualities, steel is mostly applied to manufacturing or construction of buildings, infrastructure, tools, ships, trains, automobiles, machines, appliances, and weapons. When calculated through its entire life cycle, steel delivers a superior level of performance with the least amount of impact on our environment. It is lower in cost, and can be repurposed and reused, infinitely.

How to Recycle Steel

You can support our economy’s steel sustainability by recycling metal as often as you can. Not only is this great for the environment since it reduces the need to mine for new ores, it stimulates our economy by proving jobs. Additionally, metal recycling can put cash straight into your wallet. You see, many Indianapolis metal recycling centers pay cash on the spot for scrap metal. Anything made of steel or iron will get you a decent profit. See our blog, “Profitable Steel Recycling” to learn which steel commodities you can recycle and their estimated value.

So, how do you find a trusted metal recycling center that will pay you the most for your scrap metal? Simply trust the same metal recycling leaders that all other Hoosiers have for decades: Zore’s Recycling!

Indianapolis Steel Recycling Services

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to get started with profitable metal recycling services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Not only has Zore’s Inc. been a family owned and operated company for over 75 years, we pay cash on the spot for your metal commodities. We accept cans, sheet metal, appliances, vehicles, auto parts, equipment, and more! Request a free estimate, today.

Which Types of Steel Can Be Recycled?

Posted on June 10, 2015 by admin

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Steel is a ferrous metal that contains both iron and carbon. It is one of the most predominately-used, highly beneficial, multi-purposeful assets to historic and modern-day society. Everything from skyscrapers to plumbing pipes, soup cans, construction equipment, and more are built with steel; and the list doesn’t even come close to stopping there. And many new steel products are likely to contain anywhere from 25% to 100% of recycled material.

It is wise to recycle metal in every way possible in order to preserve our Earth’s naturally-occurring metal deposits. If we recycle metal, we can mine less, preserve energy, and reuse more! There are a few different kinds of steel used in today’s industries, all of which can be recycled! Continue reading to learn the different types of steel and how to get a metal recycling program started in your household or even the entire community!

Metal Steel Recycling

All steel can be recycled, and so can commodities that contain steel. In fact, all metal can be recycled, as well as, all commodities that contain metal! When it comes to steel, finding items to recycle is easy since it is such a prevalently-used metal. Things like appliances, power tools, construction equipment, cars, machinery, and even soup cans are all things that contain steel and can be recycled.

Here are the Four Types of Steel:

Carbon Steel

Accounts for over 80% of the world’s steel production. Comes in low, medium, or high carbon content, ranging from 0.04 to 1.5 percent.

Stainless Steel

Contains anywhere from 10% to 20% Chromium. Comes in three groups based on crystalline structure: Ferritic, Austenitic, and Martensitic.

Alloy Steel

Contains traces of non-ferrous alloying metals like copper, nickel, aluminum, titanium, and more. Used for automotive parts, power generators, pipelines, and more.

Tool Steel

Contains cobalt, vanadium, tungsten, and molybdenum. Used for cutting and drilling equipment. Depending on quantities, these metals increase heat resistance and strength.

Start Recycling Metal Today

Locate a nearby scrap metal company and ask about their metal recycling guidelines and services. Designate a box or receptacle in the home or office to remind and promote recycling habits. At the end of each month, donate or drop-off your collection of steel recyclables at your local scrap metal center, or place them in a public recycling bin assigned for metal. Either way, you are doing something positive for the environment, the community, and the steel industry all at once. Go ahead and treat yourself to something nice each month, like a sweet scoop of ice cream or new golf glove, as a reward for starting a recycling program in your home or office and remembering to keep at it every day.

As for the community, get neighbors and residents on board by posting flyers, holding free awareness fundraisers like car washes or concerts, and additional social initiatives to promote a recycling program in your town.

Indianapolis Metal Recycling Services

Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to learn more about recycling metal in Indianapolis, Indiana. We accept all metal and metal commodities, including appliances, cars, electronics, sheet metal, motorcycles, car parts, cans, and much more. We even pay cash on the spot for scrap metal! Call 317-244-0700 for trusted Indianapolis metal recycling services near you.