Steel - Classification, Properties and Applications | MechClaws

Steel - Classification, Properties and Applications | MechClaws 

Steel - Classification, Properties and Applications

Steels are the most commonly and widely use material in production and manufacturing Industries. So, it's become important to having having basics knowledge of steel type, properties and its application. 

In this article we going to discuss on four categories of steel and also on their Properties and Applications.

Table of Content 

● What is Steel 

● Classification of Steel

● Properties of Steel

● Applications of Steel

● Conclusion 

What is Steel?

Steel is composition of Iron, Carbon and some alloy. In market their is many grades of steel available having different properties. It is the constituent of Carbon percentage and alloys that decide the different grade and Properties of Steel. 

Classification of Steel

According to AISI ( American Iron & Steel Institute) Steel can be classified into four major categories on the basis of their chemical Composition.

Four types of Steels are:

● Carbon Steel

● Alloy Steel

● Stainless Steel

● Tool Steel

There are many other grades and bases for the Classification of steel like physical, Chemical and Environmental.

Now, let's discuss in detail on the classification of steel, properties and it's Applications : 

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel further can be divided into three categories on the basis of carbon and alloy content.

● Mild Steel (MS)

● Medium Carbon Steel (MCS)

● High Carbon Steel (HCS)

Mild Steel

it also known as low carbon steel (LCS), having carbon percentage 0.04% to 0.30%. It is one of the largest and common type of Carbon Steel and can found in diversity of shapes and sizes.

Depending upon need the properties of mild steel can be increased by alloy's.

For Example:

Manganese is added to enhance the structural property and Aluminium is added to enhance the drawing quality (DQ) of Mild Steel.

Properties of Mild Steel

1. High Impact strength, High tensile strength.

2. Good Ductility and weldability.

3. Not suitable for heat treatment.

4. Less brittle.

Application of Mild Steel

1. For Manufacturing of machinery parts.

2. Use as structural steel

3. Use for fabrication of cars.

Medium Carbon Steel

Medium Carbon Steel contains 0.31% to 0.60% of Carbon and it's also contain 0.60% to 1.65% of manganese.

Medium carbon steel is stronger than carbon steel and become to difficult to weld, cut and form the medium carbon steel due to its hardened property.

Properties of Medium Carbon Steel

1. Become Hardened and tempered on heat treatment

2. Medium strength, Ductility and toughness.

3. Low hardenability and weldability.

Applications of Medium Carbon Steel

Generally, Medium Carbon Steel Use where properties like good hardness and strength required.

For example: Used in gear, crankshaft, axles, bolts and another machine parts.

High Carbon Steel (HCS) 

It is also known as carbon steel. It contain carbon percentage of 0.61% to 1.50%. Having such a high percentage of carbon content, It becomes difficult to banned and weld the High Carbon Steel.

Properties of HCS

1. On giving heat treatment, it become hard and brittle.

2. High Hardness, high strength.

3. Low Ductility.

Applications of HCS

1. Used for manufacturing of Cutting tools, strength wire and Springs due to it's high wear-resistance and hardness.

2. And also use in wire rope, tire reinforcement and forging grades.

Alloy Steel

In addition to iron and carbon, Alloy Steel contains other alloying material. Such as Nickel, Chromium, Manganese and Tungsten and vanadium to improve the mechanical properties or to obtain some desire property.

Objective of Alloying Steel

The objective alloy Steel are

1. To improve the corrosion resistance

2. To increase the strength and hardness (after adding Vendome).

3. To improve ductility, resistance to Aggression wearablity and machinability (after adding nickel).

Applications of Alloy Steel

This are mainly used in construction industries like used as structural sections, rails, bars and wires. And also used in stainless steel pipe.

Stainless Steel

They cannot Cordie or rust easily, these steel are called Stainless Steel.

Stainless Steel resist corrosion and oxidation effect due to the presence of chromium in low carbon steel. Chromium present in steel form of fine film of chromium oxide on the surface which reduces father oxidation. 

Properties of Stainless Steel

1. Wide range strength and hardness.

2. Resistance to corrosion good.

3. Improved machinability.

4. Improved weldability,

5. Excellent surface appearance and smooth finishing.

Application of Stainless Steel

1. Use in Automotive and transportation industries

2. For kitchens utensils, cookware and cutlery.

Tool Steel

They are also called HSS (High Speed Steel). This still can operate at much higher speed at Higher temperature without losing their strength.

Properties of Tool Steel

1. Tool Steel are special alloy, which have greater hardness much more impact toughness,

2. Great abbreviation, near Resistance 

3. Low coefficient of friction at room and elevated Temperature.

Application of Tool Steel 

1. Cutting, stamping and shearing of plastic/metals

2. Computer parts.

3. Windows frames and pipes.

Conclusion:

Now, we discuss the all classified types of Steel and their Properties and Applications. Thus by knowing this all basics categories and properties of steel one can easily select the Right category or type of steel on their bases of need.