Medium carbon steel – construction material for rails, buildings, bridges, trucks, etc.

Low carbon steel – construction of panels, gates, fences, wires, automobiles, etc.

Its strength makes it the most durable of all three types, although it is the least ductile and most difficult to cut and weld.Ĭarbon steel has several use cases depending on the variety: This is the strongest type of carbon steel, with the highest amount of carbon content, ranging from 0.61% to 1.50% by weight. Medium carbon steel is also infused with manganese and strengthened with heat, which makes it difficult to weld or mold. With a carbon content of about 0.31%-0.60% by weight, medium carbon steel is stronger than low carbon steel. As such, it has more applications compared to medium-carbon steel and high-carbon steel. Components like aluminum are typically added to the alloy to enhance its steel properties.ĭue to the low carbon content, it is more ductile and can easily be welded and turned into wires.

The amount usually ranges from 0.04% to 0.30% by weight. Additionally, carbon steel rusts and corrodes more quickly compared to other steel alloys, which necessitates the addition of a protective coating.Ĭarbon steel can be further categorized into three main types based on its carbon content: Low Carbon SteelĪlso known as mild steel, low-carbon steel has less carbon than the two other types.

With increased strength and reduced ductility, the alloy becomes difficult to shape and mold. As such, carbon steel is often preferred as the material for railway tracks, construction materials, automobile parts, and other high-pressure and high-temperature applications.Īlthough carbon steel is strong due to its high carbon content, there’s also a downside. Its high carbon content increases the strength of the alloy’s molecular structure, making it one of the best alloys for withstanding high pressures and stress. While other steel alloys typically have a carbon content of about 0.05% to 0.3%, carbon steel has a carbon content of about 2.1% by weight. An increase in the carbon percentage results in an increase in the hardness of the steel and a decrease in its flexibility. What is Carbon Steel?Ĭarbon steel is a particular form of steel with carbon as its principal constituent. We’ll review some of the main properties and differences to help you make an informed decision. It’s crucial to understand their properties to determine whether they suit your industrial plans. With all the various compositions available, how do you choose the perfect type for your needs? Take black steel pipe vs. Due to the various applications of steel, its composition often varies to suit the specific needs of a given sector like construction or engineering. What industry can you think of that does not require steel? It is an invaluable resource, thanks to its strength and durability. Black steel pipes are never used for transporting potable water.Steel is the backbone of modern-day industry, with applications in nearly all sectors. Other uses for black steel pipes include gas distribution inside and outside homes, water wells and sewage systems. This is beneficial, since black steel pipe requires very little maintenance. The oil and petroleum industries use black steel pipe for moving large quantities of oil through remote areas. Since it has a dark color surface that is form by iron oxide during the manufacturing process, it is called black steel pipe.īlack steel pipe's strength makes it ideal for transporting water and gas in rural and urban areas and for conduits that protect electrical wiring and for delivering high pressure steam and air. It can be used for fire sprinkler system since it can prevent fire better than galvanized pipe. They are categorized by the percentage of carbon that is mixed with the base element, iron.īlack steel pipe is manufactured as seamless which makes it a better type for gas transportation. There are different classes of carbon steel. It's used in applications that don't require galvanized steel. Its name comes from the scaly, dark-colored iron oxide coating on its surface.

Blackening is a process to create a tenacious oxide coating that provides some corrosion resistance.īlack steel is made of steel that has not been galvanized. Carbon steel is susceptible to corrosion.

Black steel vs carbon steel