Classification of non-alloy steel

Non-alloy steel

Non-alloy steels are steels that do not have additional alloying elements other than carbon, such as molybdenum, chromium, nickel, silicon, manganese, etc. Non-alloy steels are divided into different types according to their mechanical properties, chemical composition, or application requirements. Generally talking, they are divided into three categories: carbon steels, alloyed steels, and tool steels.

Carbon Steels

Carbon steels are the most widely used non-alloy steels. They are divided into three categories: low, medium and high carbon steels. Such steels contain up to 2% carbon. Low carbon steels are the most widely used among carbon steels due to their ductility and ease of forming, welding and machining. Low carbon steels contain up to 0.30% carbon. Medium carbon steels cotain 0.30 to 0.60% carbon and high carbon contain 0.6 - 2.0% carbon. High carbon steels are usually used in the form of hardening steel for applications such as cutting tools and special gears since they have excellent hardenability and wear resistance.

Alloyed Steels

Alloyed steels are those containing alloying elements other than carbon. They are further divided into low alloy and high alloy steels depending on the concentration of their alloying elements. Low alloy steels contain up to 8% of any alloying element with iron, whereas high alloy steels contain more than 8% of alloying elements. Low alloy steels are the most commonly used type and are mainly used for applications such as bridges and cars. High alloy steels are mainly used for specialized applications such as aircraft, nuclear power plants and chemical plants due to their superior properties such as heat resistance, strength and corrosion resistance.

Tool Steels

Tool steels are those that have been specially designed for manufacturing tools and are typically used for cutting, drilling and forming. Such steels contain carbides that provide high wear and abrasion resistance as well as high strength and hardness at elevated temperatures. Tool steels are divided into three categories according to their composition: cold-work steels, hot-work steels, and high-speed steels. Cold-work steels are mainly used for tools such as cutting tools and press dies that are used at low temperatures, whereas hot-work steels are used at temperatures above 0°C for tools such as shears and hot-forming dies. High-speed steels contain up to 18% of certain alloying elements and are used for making cutting tools that operate at high speeds and elevated temperatures.

Conclusion

Non-alloy steels are a diverse group of steels that do not contain alloying elements other than carbon. Such steels can be divided into three main categories: carbon steels, alloyed steels, and tool steels. Carbon steels are the most widely used non-alloy steels and are divided into three categories depending on their carbon content: low, medium and high. Alloyed steels contain alloying elements other than carbon and can be further divided into low and high alloy steels. Tool steels are specially formulated to be used as tools and contain deleterious elements that provide excellent wear, abrasion and corrosion resistance as well as strength and hardness at elevated temperatures.

Non-alloy steels are a type of steel that does not contain any added alloying elements. Non-alloy steels are typically simpler to shape, weld and form into larger structures than alloyed steels and are the most commonly used type of steel.

The most common form of non-alloy steel is carbon steel, which is composed mainly or exclusively of iron and carbon. Carbon steel typically has small amounts of other elements such as manganese, sulfur and phosphorus that are added during production to adjust specific properties like strength or formability. Most carbon steel is relatively strong and ductile, allowing it to be used in a variety of different applications.

Other forms of non-alloy steels include low-alloy steels and high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels. Low-alloy steels are composed of a basic iron and carbon mix, but also include small amounts of other alloying elements such as nickel or manganese. Low-alloy steels are typically stronger and harder than conventional carbon steels and are used in demanding applications such as automotive components or in marine and aerospace environments.

High-strength low-alloy steels (HSLA) are composed of the same steel components as conventional carbon steels but with the addition of higher concentrations of other alloying elements, typically nickel, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and titanium. These alloying elements help improve the strength, weldability and formability of steel while also increasing its resistance to other forms of corrosion. HSLA steels are typically used wheres ultimate strength and hardness are needed, such as in aerospace, automotive, and military applications.

Finally, there are tool steels, which are very high-strength steels that are typically used to make tools and machine parts that need to maintain high hardness and durability in tough working environments like mining and construction. Tool steels are more complex than other non-alloy steels as they typically contain large amounts of carbon, chromium, vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum. It is these elements that give tool steels their extreme wear and heat resistance, making them ideal for hard-working environments.

In conclusion, non-alloy steels are amongst the most important of all metals used in modern industry due to their versatility and relatively low cost. They are often stronger, harder and more corrosion-resistant than basic carbon steel and can be used in a wide variety of applications. These include everything from automotive parts and aircraft components to everyday items like nails and screws.