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.

The Top 4 Applications for Medium Carbon Steel

Posted on July 20, 2021 by admin

Medium carbon steel is most used for manufacturing and construction applications that require a high degree of tensile strength and ductileness. This grade of steel is even used before less-brittle steel grades. To learn how carbon steel is used throughout our society, both nationally and globally, continue below.

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Medium Carbon Steel Facts

To create a medium-range steel product, a very particular amount of carbon is added during the manufacturing process. Typically, medium carbon steel contains between .03 and .07 percent of carbon, but this is not the only attribute that makes carbon steel unique. Carbon steel is cured from the outside in, a hardening process known as quenching. Carbon steel has a high degree of tensile strength due to a process known as tempering, which ensures Martensite properties.

So, what is medium carbon steel used for the most? You can expect much of all medium carbon steel produced to be used for shafts and gearing, pressurized structures, railways, and structural steel.

Structures With Pressurized Contents

Constructs that are pressurized, such as pressurized tank systems like boilers and well pressure tanks, are often made from medium carbon steel. The reason for this is due to the metal’s ductility and tensile strength properties. They can be easily formed into the proper tank shapes and dimensions, while also withstanding the force of the highly-pressurized contents.

Construction and Structural Steel

A vast quantity of medium carbon steel is allocated to the construction and building industries in the form of structural steel hardwares. Materials like beams, joint plates, and similar components are made from medium-range steel, which help relieve some of the torque and connection pressure, as well as help the structure withstand inclement temperature changes. This is possible because of its high tensile strength and

Shafts and Gearings

Medium carbon steel is the primary component used to manufacture things like axles, crankshafts, and gear plates. Because medium carbon steel has a high level of ductility, or malleability, it can easily be fabricated into thin components without jeopardizing the overall structural integrity.

Do you have a load of leftover steel construction materials that you have no idea what to do with? Contact Zore’s Recycling division at 317-244-0700 to get paid cash on the spot for scrap metal recycling services in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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What is Medium Carbon Steel Used For?

Posted on May 15, 2019 by admin

Medium carbon steel is a grade of ferrous metal, meaning that it contains iron. There are vast applications, and thus, benefits, of this highly ductile and strong alloy. Continue reading to learn more about medium-carbon steel, including its most common applications, and what you can do with your leftover scrap metal.

Medium Carbon Steel

Medium carbon steel is made by adding between 0.3% and 0.7% carbon to steel. In addition to adding carbon, the process of quenching and tempering is used to create this mid-range steel product, which involves heating and cooling the steel, and then softening it to produce a steady tensile strength throughout, referred to as Martensite.

Medium carbon steel is often sought out for applications that require high-tensile strength and ductility. Here are some of the top industries you will find the use of this mid-range steel product:

☑ Structural Steel

One of the top uses for medium carbon steel is to create other steel commodities for the construction of buildings, bridges, and roadways. Common products include steel beams, joints, joiner plates, and more.

☑ Pressured Structures

Another common use for medium-carbon steel are pressured structures due to its high ductility properties. Pressure structures refer to commodities that use hot, high-pressure steam or water, such as boilers, pressurized tanks, water heaters, and more.

☑ Shafts and Gearing

If familiar, you will notice that automotive and mechanical products are often manufactured with medium carbon steel, namely shafts and gear system components. Some examples might include axle shafts, crankshafts, gearing plates, and more.

☑ Railway Applications

The railway system strongly relies on medium carbon steel for several applications, from manufacturing and engineering, to maintenance, safety, and more. Some common applications include railway wheels, tracks, suspensions, and all other metal-components involved in the railway’ suspension.

Where to Sell Scrap Steel in Indy

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle metal 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.

The Three Main Categories of Carbon Steel

Posted on March 19, 2018 by admin

There are four basic categories of steel according to the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI). These four groups include Carbon steel, Alloy steel, Stainless steel, and Tool steel, all of which are classified based on their chemical compositions. You can easily remember this by using the acronym, “C-A-S-T.”

Of these 4 primary groups, steel can be further classified by varied properties, including physical, environmental, and chemical. This allows for many different grades of steel. Although all steel is made up of iron and carbon, the measurement of carbon and the particular alloys it contains is what determines the actual properties of each grade of steel.

One of the most common grades is Carbon steel. Continue reading to learn the three main categories of carbon steel.

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Carbon steel can be categorized into 3 primary groups: Low, Medium, and High Carbon Steel:

❶ Low Carbon Steel

Low carbon steel is also known as “mild steel” and contains an average of 0.04% to 0.30% carbon content. As a category of carbon steel, it is the largest group. It is primarily used in the construction and building industry, and comes it a wide variety of shapes, from flat sheet to structural beam. The amount of added alloys can be altered and adjusted to make low carbon steel better suited for certain applications. For example, Drawing Quality (DQ) steel has less carbon and more aluminum, while structural beam steel has more carbon and more manganese.

❷ Medium Carbon Steel

Medium carbon steel contains an average carbon content between 0.31% and 0.60%, with an average manganese content of 0.060 percent to 1.65 percent. Compared to low carbon steel, medium carbon steel is stronger, making it well-suited for automotive parts, railway systems and parts, structural beams, and more. However, due to its strength, it is more difficult to mold, shape, cut, and weld. Heat treatment is usually needed to hardening and tempering medium carbon steel.

❸ High Carbon Steel

High carbon steel is also referred to as “carbon tool steel”, and contains an average carbon content between 0.61% and 1.50%. Similar to medium carbon steel, high carbon steel is hard to cut, mold, and weld, and requires heat treatment for hardening and tempering. Due to its properties, it is often used in the manufacturing of tools such as woodworking and cutting tools, as well as, high strength wires and more. Until recently, it was commonly used for railways.

Recycling Scrap Steel for Cash

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Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle scrap steel metal and make some fast money at the same time. We are a professional Indianapolis scrap metal recycling center that accepts and recycles all metals in any condition. Best of all, we pay cash on the spot for them! Recycle all sorts of stuff, including sheet metal and beams, cars, boats, construction equipment, power tools, old electronics, and more! Request a free estimate, today.