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.

What is Tool Steel?

Posted on December 9, 2020 by admin

Tool steel is a special type of steel that is higher in hardness and more resistant to abrasion. There are variety of grades to choose from when on the market for tool steel, all of which also come in a selection of shapes, like round bar, square bar, and plate. Continue below to learn more about tool steel, including the common applications for the most prevalent grades.

Tool Steel Properties and Applications

Because tool steel is especially hard and resistant to abrasion, it is commonly used in the metal fabrication industry for mold-fashioning, cutting, metal stamping and extrusion dies, and additional impact functions, such as industrial hammers. The most important and useful property of tool steel is hardness. It is extremely hard, which is why it is a go-to material for making machinery that forms other metals. Also, tool steel can be customized order in a wide range of shapes, including flat bar, square bar, round bar, rectangular bar, precision ground stock, plate, and more.

Flat Bar – Available in Tool Steel A2, D2, and O1

Square Bar – Available in Tool Steel A2, D2, and O1

Rectangular Bar – Available in Tool Steel A2, D2, and O1

Round Bar – Available in Tool Steel A2, D2, H13, S7, and O1

Precision Ground Stock – Available in Tool Steel A2, D2, and O1

Plate – Available in Tool Steel A2, D2, H13, S7, and O1

Common Tool Steel Applications

Other than the manufacturing of metal forming machinery and technology, common industrial and commercial applications for tool steel include making chiseling tools, blacksmith tools, gages, cutters, die casting dies, bushings, rotary slitters, shears, burnishing tools, embossing machines, lathes, and more.

Where to Sell Scrap Steel for Cash on the Spot in Indiana

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle scrap steel in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a professional scrap metal recycling center that has served the Hoosier community for over 75 years. Our professional scrap metal buyers accept all metals, in any condition, and pay cash on the spot for them! Recycle junk cars, boats, construction equipment, power tools, old electronics, and more for an instant profit. Request a free quote, today.

The Four Categories of Steel

Posted on May 11, 2016 by admin

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There are several styles, grades, and sizes of steel to choose from. In fact, one of the most common questions among steel consumers involves the different types of steel. In order to know which steel best suits your metalwork project, you must first understand their differences. If you were to ask the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), they would tell you that steel can be categorized into four basic groups according to their individual chemical compositions.

These four groups include carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and tool steel. All steel is composed of both iron and carbon, but vary in type depending on certain physical, chemical, and environmental properties; all of which are determined by the amount of carbon and any additional alloys. Below are the descriptions of the four categories of steel, and facts about each.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel can be further categorized into three groups: 1) Low carbon, 2) Medium carbon, and 3) High carbon. Low carbon, also called mild steel, is one of the largest categories of carbon steel, and generally contains anywhere from 0.04% to 0.30% carbon content. Depending on its intended use, other additives and alloys can be added to create desired properties. Medium carbon generally contains anywhere from 0.31% to 0.60% carbon content, as well as, a range of 0.60% to 1.65% of manganese content. High carbon steel is informally known as “carbon tool steel” and contains 0.61% to 1.50% carbon content. It is difficult to manipulate, and becomes very brittle when heat-treated.

Alloy Steel

Alloy steel also contains carbon, since all steel contains both carbon and iron. But alloy steel also contains a marginal amount of additional elements, such as Nickle (Ni), Chromium (Cr), and Manganese (Mn). This type of steel is popular and commonly used due to their wide availability, economical costs, ease of processing, and quality mechanical properties. In comparison to carbon steel, alloy steel is more responsive to mechanical and heat treatments. Heated alloy steel comes in wither annealed or normalized.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel contains added alloys that make is extremely resistant to corrosion in comparison to carbon and alloy steel. This is why it is commonly used in the medical/surgical industries, appliance industry, hardware manufacturing industry, food processing/handling industry, architectural industry, and more. It contains both carbon and iron, as mentioned before, but stainless steel generally contains other alloys as well, such as Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), or Nickel (Ni).

Tool Steel

Tool steel is a general term to describe a variety of steels that retain high-hardness and abrasion-resistance properties. Specific applications for tool steel include stamping, extrusion, dies, cutting, mold-making, or impact applications (i.e. hammers).

Recycle Steel in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Metal Recyclers 317-244-0700

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle steel in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for all steel scrap metal, and honor the highest returns in town based on current market prices for metal. We accept sheet metal, scrap metal, cars, trucks, power tools, construction equipment, appliances, electrical wiring, and more. Call 317-244-0700 to recycle metal in Indianapolis, IN today.