Steel is one of the most used industrial materials in the world. It is made by combining iron with various elements through chemical and physical reactions in specific applications. With so many different combinations available in the industry, selecting the right steel materials becomes a challenge.
Alloy steel and carbon steel are two common types of steel and are used in different industries due to their different properties. Understanding these differences is important because it allows manufacturers to properly utilize steel types to make the most of the material used.
Overview of Carbon Steel and Its Types
Carbon steel, as the name suggests, is a variant of steel that mainly involves mixing different concentrations of carbon with iron to create a strong, robust and versatile alloy. In general, some variants also contain traces of elements such as manganese and silicon, but carbon remains the predominant component of the mixture.
The advantages of carbon steel lie in its relative simplicity, versatility and low production costs. It does not require a complex production process and can be manufactured quickly. However, this simplicity results in relatively low strength, hardness and corrosion resistance.
Types of carbon steel
The type of carbon steel depends on the carbon concentration in the mixture. In general, there are four categories based on the amount of carbon content.
Low carbon steel
It contains about 0.3% carbon and is also known as carbon steel. It is characteristically elastic and is an excellent material for applications that require a lot of flexibility and complicated profiles. Wire and steel fences are excellent examples of mild steel materials.
Medium hard steel
Carbon content between 0.3% and 0.6% in the mixture. It is more durable than low carbon steel and is often used in applications where a balance between strength and ductility is required. Common applications include manufacturing axles, gears, and axles.
Carbon steel
The carbon content is about 0.6% to 1.4%, making it much harder and stronger than low and medium carbon steel. High carbon steel is often used in applications that require high strength. For example, cutting tools, knives and springs are made from high-carbon steel.
High carbon steel
It contains between 1.4% and 2.0% carbon and is also known as cast iron. It is very hard and brittle and is often used in applications that require extreme hardness and wear resistance.
Overview of alloy steel and its types
Alloy steel is a combination of iron, carbon and several other elements such as nickel, chromium and molybdenum. The additional elements make alloy steel unique and increase the already excellent physical properties, such as strength, toughness and corrosion resistance, to a new extreme.
However, all the above features come at a price. The manufacturing process for alloy steel is more complex and resource-intensive than that for carbon steel. This means that alloy steel is more expensive and takes longer to produce.
Types of alloy steel
There is no single method for determining alloy steel types because the possible combinations are endless. However, the following 5 types are the most common:
1. Chrome Steel : As the name suggests, it contains chromium as the primary alloying element, which improves corrosion resistance, wear resistance and high temperature resistance. It is quite expensive and is often used in intensive applications such as aerospace components and drilling rigs.
2. Nickel Steel : Nickel serves as the primary alloying element and improves toughness, ductility and corrosion resistance. It is commonly used in applications such as gas turbine blades, aircraft engine components, and chemical processing equipment.
3. Molybdenum steel : This type of steel contains molybdenum as a primary alloying element, which improves resistance to high temperatures and wear.
4. Vanadium steel : Contains vanadium and provides greater strength, toughness and fatigue resistance. It is commonly used in applications such as shafts, crankshafts and gears.
5. Tool steel : Contains a variety of alloying elements such as chromium, molybdenum and tungsten, which improve hardness, wear resistance and toughness. Tool steel is commonly used in milling cutters, jigs, and tool molds.
Alloy Steel Versus Carbon Steel: What's the Difference?
Technically or by definition, carbon steel itself is also an alloy. However, due to the drastic differences between alloy and carbon steel, it is not considered as such. Carbon steel is not inherently weak; Alloy steel takes inherent strength to the next level for high-intensity applications.
There are many other important differences and knowing them in detail is crucial for each manufacturer to make a sensible choice when selecting materials.
League vs. Carbon Steel: Strength
Alloy steel is significantly stronger than carbon steel thanks to the addition of various alloying elements such as chromium and nickel. Likewise, alloy steel has higher yield strength and tensile strength, making it suitable for many intensive applications with high strength requirements.
League vs. Carbon Steel: Hardness
Elements like tungsten and vanadium are known for their hardness without the need for additional processes like heat treatment. Adding these elements to steel alloys can also improve overall hardness and abrasion/cut resistance.
Carbon steel, on the other hand, also offers excellent hardness properties after extensive processes such as heat treatment and tempering. However, it still doesn't come close to the hardness of alloy steel.
League vs. Carbon Steel: Durability
In general, steel of all types is quite durable and is therefore often used in a wide variety of industries. However, alloy steel has greater strength, hardness and corrosion resistance than carbon steel. Carbon steel can corrode quickly in many harsher environments and may even require multiple treatments to improve its longevity and performance.
League vs. Carbon Steel: Versatility
Carbon steel is limited in its variety because the carbon content of the mixture is limited. However, alloy steel is different. Depending on the application requirements, numerous combinations are possible to achieve specific values. From improving corrosion resistance to increasing the strength or durability of the metal, there is an alloy steel solution to meet specific needs.
Alloy Steel vs. Carbon Steel: Processing Requirements
Carbon steel naturally contains fewer elements in the mix. Therefore, it is easier to produce and process. Alloy steel, on the other hand, contains a variety of components and all mixtures require different processing conditions.
League vs. Carbon Steel: Cost
Carbon steel has a simpler composition and does not require complex processing. This is why it is considered a cheaper alternative to alloy steel.
Quick Overview: Key Differences Between Alloy and Carbon Steel
Here is an overview of how carbon steel compares to alloy steel when the correct parameters are considered. For any project, the material with the best balance between overall cost and functionality is the best choice.
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Carbon and alloy steel applications
As mentioned earlier, both carbon steel and alloy steel play important roles in various industries due to their superior strength, versatility, and corrosion resistance. Here are some of the most common ways both types of steel are used across various industries.
Common Carbon Steel Applications
Carbon steel is a good choice for many industries because it is versatile, durable, and most importantly, economical. It is the preferred material for medium to low intensity applications and offers a variety of desirable properties.
- construction
- Auto Industry
- Manufacturing
- Piping
- Dishes
- Agriculture
Common Alloy Steel Applications
Alloy steel is characterized by its excellent physical properties and corrosion resistance, which makes it suitable for intensive applications in the most adverse conditions.
Here are some areas where alloy steel is the material of choice:
- aerospace industry
- petroleum gasoline
- Auto Industry
- Medical equipment
- Production of energy
Alternative materials to alloyed and unalloyed steel
Carbon steel and alloy steel together are some of the most versatile materials available. The balance between strength, durability, performance and corrosion resistance that both materials offer is unparalleled.
However, the following materials can be a good alternative to steel in terms of individual aspects such as corrosion resistance, greater durability or overall strength.
Nickel alloys
A perfect alternative when corrosion resistance is the most important factor, as nickel is the closest thing to a chemically inert material with reasonable resistance and formability.
aluminum alloys
Aluminum alloys are an expensive alternative to many steel applications where strength, durability and a high strength-to-weight ratio are required.
titanium
A lightweight, strong and extremely durable material commonly used in the aerospace industry. However, it is important to note that titanium is extremely difficult to process, which is reflected in the overall cost of the material.
Ceramics
This is another great alternative with comparable strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. However, most ceramics are extremely fragile, which limits their application to just a few areas.
Choose a reliable partner for steel processing
We have extensive experience in machining carbon and alloy steel. Our comprehensive machining capabilities, including milling, steel turning and steel molds for rapid machining, can help produce even the most complex parts with the precision and accuracy required.
Concluding
Both alloyed and non-alloyed steel play an important role in various industries. The right choice between the two depends on the specific application and required properties of the material. Both material options have their disadvantages and advantages. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to select the right material that offers the perfect balance between cost, physical properties and performance.
Common questions
What is the main difference between carbon steel and alloy steel?
Technically speaking, carbon steel itself is also a type of alloy steel. The main difference between these types is the addition of carbon and other elements. As the name suggests, carbon steel consists of carbon and traces of other elements mixed with iron, while alloy steel contains several other elements like chromium, nickel, vanadium, etc.
Why is alloy steel more expensive than carbon steel?
Alloy steel contains a variety of other elements that are rare, while carbon steel is just commonly available carbon mixed with iron. Furthermore, alloy steel is much more difficult to process and requires more resources, which is reflected in its high cost.
Can carbon steel be used instead of alloy steel?
In most cases no. Carbon steel does not have the necessary corrosion resistance and durability/strength properties, which is why carbon steel cannot replace its alloy equivalents in intensive applications.
