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MAJOR STEEL GROUPS
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel usually contains up to 1.65% manganese, and contains no
other added elements to provide any specific alloying effects, except for
deoxidation or grain size control. Carbon steels are often classified
according to carbon concentration, i.e. low, medium, and high carbon
steels. The term ‘plain carbon steel’ is often used to describe steels
which only contain residual concentrations of impurities other than
carbon and manganese.
The greatest quantity of steel produced falls into the low-carbon
classification, and is typically less than 0.25% carbon. Low-carbon steels
are typically unresponsive to heat treatments intended to form
martensite and strengthening is usually accomplished through cold
working. Low-carbon steels are relatively soft and weak but have
excellent ductility and toughness.
Medium-carbon steels have carbon concentrations typically between
0.25% and 0.60%, and may be heat treated by austenitizing, quenching,
and tempering to improve their mechanical properties. Medium-
carbon steels are stronger than low-carbon steels, but with a reduction
in ductility and toughness. High-carbon steels have carbon
concentrations typically between 0.60% and 1.4%, and are the hardest
and strongest of the carbon steels, but with the least amount of
ductility.
Microalloy Steel
Microalloy steels, or High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) steels, are a group
of low-carbon steels which contain a small but deliberate addition of
one or more alloying elements such as: vanadium, columbium, and
titanium. These steels have increased strength, combined with good
ductility in the hot rolled condition. These properties are achieved by a
combination of fine grain size and precipitation of finely dispersed
particles throughout the steel’s microstructure. Some HSLA steels have
improved atmospheric corrosion.
Alloy Steel
Steel containing significant quantities of one or more alloying elements
(other than carbon and the commonly accepted amounts of
manganese, and silicon) added to make changes in mechanical or
physical properties. Common alloying elements include nickel,
chromium, and molybdenum, among others.