Steel Grades and Chemical Composition
There are many different grades of steel available on the market, depending on the chemical composition and the method of production. Different grades of steel have different properties, so knowing the composition and grade of your steel is important.
Common grades of steel used in various industries include Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel, Tool Steel, Stainless Steel, and High Speed Steel (HSS).
Carbon steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. It is the most commonly used type of steel due to its combination of strength and ductility. It typically contains between 0.5-2.5% carbon and is denoted by an SAE or AISI 4 digit number. Common grades of carbon steel include 1018, 1020, 1045, 5140, 4140 and 5160.
Alloy steel is a type of steel that contains other elements such as nickel, molybdenum, vanadium or chromium in addition to carbon, to improve the physical or chemical properties of the metal. These alloys are typically denoted by an AISI number, such as 4140 or 4340.
Tool steel is a type of steel alloy specifically designed for cutting tools and other wear-resistant applications. It is usually alloyed with cobalt and tungsten, and typically contains chromium and vanadium. Tool steel grades are typically denoted by an AISI or SAE number, such as 6145, 6150 or H11.
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium and, in some cases, nickel and other metals. It is highly corrosion-resistant and is also known for its strength and wear resistance. Common grades of stainless steel include 303 and 304.
High speed steel (HSS) is a type of tool steel designed for high speed cutting applications. It typically contains high levels of carbon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium and vanadium, which gives it its high wear resistance. Common grades of HSS include M2, M42, M50 and M7.
Knowing the chemical composition and grade of your steel is essential to ensuring that you get the right steel for your application. Different grades of steel have different properties, and some grades may not be suitable for certain applications. Therefore, it is important to make sure you have the correct steel grade before starting any project.
