With carbon making up the second-largest component after iron, carbon steel is an alloy of metals that varies in hardness and strength depending on the amount of carbon added. Although the phrase “carbon steel” is used more widely to refer to all iron and carbon steel alloys where the presence of other metals is limited, the American Iron and Steel Institute has a fairly rigorous definition of carbon steel and permissible content levels for extra elements. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Falcon Steel, Inc.
Springfield, MO | 800-999-0987Using state-of-the-art technology, Falcon Steel is a full-line steel service center that offers both stock length materials and a wide range of processing services including plate cutting, hole punching, shearing, galvanizing and waterjet cutting. Providing a variety of products such as flats, angles, channels, beams, tubing, rounds and more, Falcon Steel can meet many diverse steel requirements.
California Steel Services
San Bernardino, CA | 800-323-7227As a major supplier of hot rolled steel sheets for over 15 years, California Steel Services uses state-of-the-art equipment and top of the line customer service to provide quality components for customers throughout the Western United States. In addition to hot rolled steel sheets, plates and coils; California Steel Services offers a range of services to ensure your exact specifications are met.
INTSEL Steel East
Bridgeport, CT | 855-446-8735In business since 1829, INTSEL Steel East is a unique and accomplished manufacturer of stainless steel tubing. Approximately 750,000 square feet of warehouse space and round the clock loading and processing of material enables us to serve well a multitude of steel products users whose requirements demand prompt service. Visit our website or call INTSEL Steel East today – for the metal you need tomorrow.
Chapel Steel
Lower Gwynedd, PA | 800-570-7674Over three decades of heritage with a new vision of steel and state-of-the-art steel services. We are steel plate specialists offering Structural, Carbon & HSLA Steel Plate; Alloy & Abrasion Resistant Steel Plate; Marine & OffShore Steel Plate; PVQ Steel Plate and Armor & Ballistic Steel Plate.
Under their classification, carbon steel is essentially any steel not requiring nickel, cobalt, chromium, tungsten, zirconium, niobium, titanium, vanadium, or molybdenum as an alloying agent.
Carbon steel is a particularly hard ferrous metal in general. The characteristics of a certain alloy change depending on the carbon percentage. Low levels of carbon produce alloys with characteristics that are very similar to those of pure iron, but as the content rises, hardness, corrosion resistance, and strength increase proportionately. However, high carbon levels reduce material flexibility, thermal resistance, melting point, and production options. Steel service centers supply this material to various industries, including building and architecture, automotive, electronics, aerospace, and power generation. Many producers buy stock shapes such as bars, rods, tubes, plates, sheets, strips, foil, wire, billets, slabs, and blooms; however, some service centers only offer finished goods. For use in powder metallurgy, ingots, and powders are additionally offered.
Types of Carbon Steel
Low-Carbon Steel
Low-carbon steel usually contains between 0.04% to 0.30% carbon. This classification is the largest subcategory of carbon steel. It encompasses various shapes, including structural beams and flat sheets. Depending on the desirable qualities needed, other ingredients are reduced or enhanced. It is soft, malleable, and flexible. Its main products include steel bars, stamping-resistant components, certain steels, etc. Increasing the surface hardness of low-carbon steel through the carburizing process makes it more abrasion-resistant and gains even more strength.
Low–Carbon Steel Characteristics
- extreme toughness
- mediocre tensile strength
- extremely weldable
- cheap
- very ductile
- softness
- extremely machinable
Medium-Carbon Steel
It typically contains between 0.31% and 0.60% of carbon and 1.060% to 1.65% of manganese. It is stronger than low-carbon steel but more difficult to mold, weld, and cut. Medium carbon steels are frequently hardened and tempered by heat treatment. Medium carbon steel is perfect for making items like gears and studs that will withstand a lot of wear and tear. If more hardening is required, medium carbon steel can be heated and kept at a steady temperature until it reaches the requisite hardness, then soaked and cooled. Medium-carbon steel is used to produce stainless steel.
Medium-Carbon Steel Characteristics
- moderately strong
- reasonable toughness
- moderately weldable
- low ductility
- minimally machinable
- low-alloy steel
High-Carbon Steel
It typically goes by "carbon tool steel," and its typical carbon content ranges from 0.61% to 1.50%. High-carbon steel is very difficult to cut, bend, and weld. After being heated, it becomes incredibly brittle and rigid. Chromium and manganese alloys can be added to high-carbon steel during manufacturing to help the material withstand corrosion.
High-Carbon Steel Characteristics
- extreme toughness
- mediocre machinability
- high power
- reasonable weldability
- minimal ductility
Ultra-High Carbon Steel
It has a carbon content ranging from 1% to 2%. As a result, it is used to create extremely hard components.
Applications of Carbon Steel
Low-carbon steel is often produced as flat-rolled sheets and strips for domestic appliances, wire, automobile bodywork, and shipbuilding. In addition, it is frequently used for fabrication and paneling since heat treatment cannot change it. Wrought iron is a type of carbon steel with the least amount of carbon and is used to make fencing, gates, and railings.
The quality of medium carbon steel is enhanced by adding trace amounts of silicon and manganese. It is frequently used structurally in buildings, bridges, cars, refrigerators, washing machines, axles, gears, shafts, railroads, pipelines, and couplings. It is also known as mild steel.
High carbon steel, which is used to create cutting tools, blades, punches, dies, springs, and high-strength wire, has a substantially superior tensile strength.
Because it is so hard and brittle, ultra-high carbon steel cannot be cold-wrought. Extremely durable components including blades, cutting tools, rails, general bearings, massive machine parts, industrial castings, metal lamp posts, and hot water radiators are all made using ultra-high carbon steel. Old-fashioned cooking pots are made of this material, also called "cast iron."
Benefits of Carbon Steel
- Durability. It is useful for building projects since it is dependable and shock-resistant. Compared to other building materials, including those used to construct homes, offices, and governmental facilities, carbon steel constructions are more resistant to natural disasters like earthquakes and tornadoes.
- Sustainability. Reusable, recyclable, and sustainable all describe carbon steel.
- Affordability. Some goods can be produced for significantly less money with carbon steel because it can be worked much more effectively than other metals.
- Safety. Handling carbon steel is generally simple and secure. Because it does not release potentially dangerous compounds into food, it is frequently used in cookware.
Choosing the Right Carbon Steel Supplier
To make sure you have the most beneficial outcome when purchasing carbon steel from a carbon steel supplier, it is important to compare at least 4 companies using our list of carbon steel suppliers. Each carbon steel supplier has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each carbon steel company website using our patented website previewer to get an idea of what each business specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple carbon steel companies with the same form.
