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Carbon Steel Bar

When carbon is the alloying element, the steel is called carbon steel. Carbon steels are classified by the percentage of carbon in points or hundredths of one percent they contain. There are relatively few alloying elements in carbon steel; carbon is the dominant alloy. Most carbon steel is considerably less expensive than alloy steel. The three basic types of carbon steel are low-carbon steel, medium-carbon steel, and high-carbon steel.

Low-Carbon Steel

The largest percentage of all carbon steel is low-carbon steel. It contains between 0.05% and 0.35% carbon. Low-carbon steel lacks the ability to become as hard and strong as other steel. However, because it does not become very hard, it is easier to machine and work with in the manufacturing plant.

Low-carbon steel is the least expensive type of steel. For this reason, it has many uses. Applications include fence wire, auto bodies, galvanized sheets, storage tanks, large pipe, and various parts in buildings, bridges, and ships.

Low-carbon steel is not as strong and hard as some of the more expensive grades of alloy steel, but it is not weak or low in quality. All steel, even low-carbon steel, is very strong and can be trusted to support a great deal of force. These steels are easy to work, can be welded, but cannot be hardened. Low carbon steel is available as band iron, black iron sheet, and in many different shapes and sizes of bars and rods.

Medium-Carbon Steel

Medium-carbon steel contains 0.35% to 0.50% carbon. It can be heat treated. If it is heat treated properly, medium-carbon steel can become quite hard and strong. It is frequently used in forgings and high-strength castings.

Applications of medium-carbon steel include wheels, axles, crankshafts, and gears.

High-Carbon Steel

The carbon content in high-carbon steel is over 0.50%, and it may be over 1%. This type of steel can be readily heat treated to obtain high strength and high hardness.

The disadvantage of high hardness in steel is a relatively high rate of distortion and the potential of cracking or becoming very brittle during the hardening process. Nevertheless, high-carbon steel can be safely used for making tools, dies, knives, railroad wheels, and for many other applications requiring high strength.