Properties and Uses of

Steel
 Low/Mild Carbon Steel
Properties
Low carbon steel contains approximately 0.05–0.15% carbon and mild
steel contains 0.16–0.29% carbon; making it malleable and ductile, but it
cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Mild steel has a relatively low tensile
strength, but it is cheap and malleable; surface hardness can be increased
through carburizing

Uses of mild/low carbon steel

 automobile body components
 structural shape
 pipes,
 construction and bridge components
 Medium Carbon Steel

Properties
Medium carbon steel has a carbon content of 0.25 – 0.60 wt.% and a
manganese content of 0.60 – 1.65 wt.%. The mechanical properties of this
steel are improved via heat treatment involving autenitising followed by
quenching and tempering, giving them a martensitic microstructure. Heat
treatment can only be performed on very thin sections

Mild carbon steel can be used in the making of:

 Shafts
 Axles
 Gears
 Crankshafts
 High Carbon steel
Properties
High carbon steel  has a carbon content of 0.60– 1.25 wt.% and a manganese
content of 0.30 – 0.90 wt.%. It has the highest hardness and toughness of the
carbon steels and the lowest ductility. High-carbon steels are very wear-
resistant as a result of the fact that they are almost always hardened and
tempered.

Common application of high carbon steel

 forging grades
 rail steels
 spring steels 
 pre-stressed concrete
 wire rope
 Stainless Steel
 Properties
Above all, because of its chromium content, it is extremely resistant to
corrosion. Other favorable properties for consumers are its high strength and
durability, its high and low temperature resistance, increased formability and
easy fabrication, low maintenance, long lasting, attractive appearance and it is
environmentally friendly and recyclable. Once stainless steel is put into
service, it does not need to be treated, coated or painted.

Common applications of stainless steel

 surgical tools and medical equipment
 Automotive and aerospace applications
 Culinary uses.
 High Speed steel

Properties
High alloy content, primarily tungsten or molybdenum, with lesser amounts of
chromium, vanadium and cobalt. High carbon content a minimum of 0.65%
by weight, but commonly anywhere from 0.8% to 1.5% carbon content.
Rockwell hardness of at least 64 HRC at room temperature. A heat treatment
process that produces a high quantity of complex metallic carbides.

High speed steel is used in the manufacturing of various

cutting tools:
 drills,
 taps,
 milling cutters,
 saw blades