Classification of Carbon Steels According to their Microstructural Organizations in Practical Applications
Carbon steels are metals that contain an alloy of iron and carbon. They are processed in various ways to produce a range of products from simple components like nails to complex pieces of machinery and even armor plates. One important factor in a steel alloys usefulness is the way its microstructural organization is developed, and this is the primary way of classifying it. In practical applications, there are six primary types of carbon steel that are developed for different purposes.
The first type is the ferrite-pearlite type. This type is formed by slowly cooling the steel alloy until two different metals, ferrite and pearlite, are formed. The result is a microstructure of an intermixed combination of these two metals. This type of steel is best suited for use in applications that require toughness, as it is one of the strongest steels available.
A second type of carbon steel is the martensite type. This type of steel is produced by the rapid cooling of an alloy, wherein the metal is cooled so quickly that the microstructure is formed in a certain way, which is called martensite. This type of steel is best suited for applications that require a great deal of strength and wear resistance.
The bainite type is a third type of carbon steel that is formed by slower cooling of an alloy than the martensite type. This results in the formation of a microstructure of intermediate hardness between ferrite and martensite. This type of steel is best suited for applications that require a high level of both strength and toughness.
The fourth type of carbon steel is the austenite type. This type of steel is formed by heating up the steel alloy until it becomes a liquid and then cooling it very quickly. This results in a very strong and dense microstructure, which is ideal for applications that require a high degree of wear resistance and tensile strength.
The fifth type of carbon steel is the pearlite type. This type of steel is formed by cooling down the steel alloy so that the microstructure that forms is made up of both ferrite and pearlite. This type of steel is best suited for applications that require strength and ductility.
The sixth type of carbon steel is the cementite type. This type of steel is formed when the steel alloy is cooled very rapidly, resulting in a microstructure that is made up purely of cementite. This type of steel is generally used in applications that require very high levels of hardness, wear resistance, and tensile strength.
In conclusion, there are six primary types of carbon steel that are developed for different purposes. These are ferrite-pearlite, martensite, bainite, austenite, pearlite, and cementite. Each of these carbon steels has unique properties that allow it to be used in different types of applications. Some applications require toughness, while others require strength, wear resistance, or hardness. By understanding the microstructural organization that is developed in carbon steels, one can select the correct type of steel for their particular application.
