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.

Why is Stainless Steel So Popular These Days?

Posted on July 29, 2021 by admin

Stainless steel metal is something we are seeing more and more these days, everywhere you look. This special metal has a much higher chromium content, as well as a translucent coating that prevents discoloration and corrosion. In fact, these attributes are often the reason why stainless steel, and the commodities manufactured with it, are so highly sought after. Industries all across the nation benefit from stainless steel applications and assets, including food handling, food processing, medical instruments, hardware, appliances, architecture, and much more.

Continue reading to learn more about the benefits and applications of stainless steel, and where you can recycle steel for cash on the spot in Central Indiana.

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The Value of Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, also known as inox steel or just inox, is an alloy that has a minimum of 10.5% chromium content and a maximum of 1.2% carbon content. Some of the most admired qualities of stainless steel is its resistance to staining, corrosion, and oxidation (rust). For this reason, it is often used in kitchens and food processing plants, as well as industries like medical, electrical, petrochemical, manufacturing, automotive, and more.

Stainless steel comes in many grades and finishes, all of which offer their own unique appeal or performance. Compared to carbon steel, stainless steel has a much higher chromium content, so when exposed to conditions that would otherwise make it rust or corrode, it instead forms a passive coating of chromium oxide that prevents further deterioration. Not only does it not corrode and does not require a protective coating, but it is also easy to clean and sterilize.

Stainless vs. Mild Steel

When it comes to the primary differences between stainless steel and mild steel, it all comes down to strength, ductility, hardness, aesthetics, and cost. Stainless steel contains additional alloying elements, including chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, all of which enhances the mechanical and chemical properties and makes it resistant to corrosion. Mild steel is less brittle but can be strengthened more by adding carbon.

Did you know you can recycle your left over steel and scrap metal materials, plus earn a profit? Contact Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to get paid cash on the spot for steel recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

Common Categories of Corrosion Resistant Alloys
Is Aluminum Better Than Stainless Steel?
How to Support Steel Sustainability

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.

How Much Can I Get for Low Alloy Punchings?

Posted on April 23, 2019 by admin

Low alloy steel is a beneficial material because it retains specific chemical compositions that deliver improved mechanical properties compared to conventional mild or carbon steel materials. When such steel is pushed through a punch press production line, punching scraps are created as a result of the punch press puncturing a hole through the sheet metal. These scrap pieces are gathered in a die, where they can be later collected and recycled. As one of the most cost-effective methods for fashioning holes in sheet metal in a high volume metal production process, scrap alloy punchings are a common residual material that happens to still contain a nominal amount of value.

Continue reading to learn more about low-alloy scrap steel punchings, including their current market price and where to sell them in Indiana.

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General Composition

Low-alloy scrap metal punchings can range in composition. However, the industry-accepted definition states that they should contain no more than 0.4% manganese and no less than 0.05 to 0.06% chromium. Furthermore, all such punchings are produced at 12 inches, and always under certain specifications decreed by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.

Average Value

The current scrap metal prices for low-alloy punchings is $280 per gross tonnage (GT). However, this price not only fluctuates, it varies depending on several factors. These factors will be the ultimate influence over how much you profit from your scrap metal punchings. If you have additional scrap steel, this might help you render a fuller profit at an Indianapolis scrap metal recycling center or local scrap metal buyer.

Contact a Metal Recycling Company for a Quote

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