Carbon steels

Carbon Steel is a metallic alloy which is formed by the combination of iron and carbon. Usually considered carbon steel, when the total content of other alloying elements does not exceed a certain amount of interest. Typically, for example, a maximum manganese content does not exceed 1.6%, silicon - 0.6% copper - 0.4%. If the steel contains higher amounts of other elements such as nickel, chromium or vanadium, then it is considered an alloy steel.

Manufacturers of steel carbon is added to iron to make the structure more solid alloy and a steel stronger. Carbon is a cheap alloying element in the steel and altering its contents can greatly control the properties of the steel. Ordinary carbon steel is classified as a low-carbon, medium-, high-carbon and high-carbon (ledeburitic) steel.

Low carbon steel

Steels with very low carbon content - 0.05 to 0.3% - called mild steel. They are similar to iron, as it is very soft and plastic, making them difficult machining. They are used in the form of sheets, strips, wire. Mild steel is cheaper than other steels, but can not change their properties through heat treatment.

Medium carbon steel

Increasing the carbon content of carbon steels makes them firmer and stronger, but reduces their  ductility and weldability, making steelы more brittle. Steel producers are also added to the carbon, small amounts of other alloying elements for improving properties of steel, for example, the viscous properties.

Medium carbon steel has a carbon content of 0.3 to 0.6%. They are easier to machine. In some steel to improve the machinability is further added manganese and silicon. These steels remain relatively cheap and their use, including those responsible for such products, such as pipes and rails.

High-carbon steel

High carbon steel is very difficult to weld since they contain from 0.6 to 1.0% carbon. They also have a high content of manganese, which was added to increase the hardenability of steel. These steels are readily hardenable by thermal treatment. They have high strength and are used for the manufacture of tools, cutting blades, wire and high-strength springs.

Ledeburitic steel

Ledeburitic steel containing carbon of 1.25 to 2.0%. They are not subjected to cold working, since they are very fragile. Ledeburitic steels are used for manufacturing parts that require very high hardness, such as a blade, cutting tool and larger articles. Ledeburitic steel is very sensitive to heat treatment have good machinability and have a very high wear resistance.