What Are The Different Types of Steel

Among different types of metal, steel is one of the most recycled materials. It is 1000 times stronger than iron. With its versatility, steel has a composition of iron and carbon (in small amounts). Adding different alloying materials makes different types of steel. Elements like nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and silicon are alloys. All these types of steel have other properties. Each has a unique behavior to rusting and corrosion. This blog will provide a complete guide to this strong and versatile metal. It will also discuss its applications and composition.

Understanding Steel - What is the Steel?

In simple terms, steel is an iron metal without any carbon presence. It is the presence of alloys that converts iron into steel. Adding at least 2% of carbon to iron will create steel. Other common alloys are chromium, nickel, and manganese.

Stainless steel was first created by combining chromium and nickel with iron. It is one of the types of steel that has high resistance to rusting. These elements became much more prominent by the end of World War 2.

Properties of Steel

Iron is the foundation element in steel production, which has hardness like copper. It serves as a base metal for steel. Carbon plays a crucial role in the formation of steel. Generally, two forms of carbon make up steel.

Carbide:

The addition of carbide to iron creates cementite (Fe3C). The addition of other alloying elements can also form well-known metals like titanium.

Solid Carbon:

The solid form of carbon comprises austenite and ferrite. It is the second type of carbon that contributes to steel formation.

Impact of Heating Steel

Heating carbon content can lead to various changes to steel properties. Different types of steel react to heat. Heat-treating is the process of accelerating the formation of steel. It speeds up the mechanical properties of steel. For instance, it accelerates the cooling rate from austenite to ferrite.

Types of Steel

Different types of steel have various amounts of alloying elements. Here are some of them.

Stainless Steel

One of the most utilized types of steel is stainless steel, which is comprised of chromium. Austenitic stainless steel is the most popular. Nickel and chromium are key elements in this composition. Stainless steel has other types as well, such as martensitic and duplex. Each type has particularly different properties. This type of steel has excellent reliability due to its corrosion-resistant nature. It is easy to clean and has high-temperature durability. This is the reason you see stainless steel prints on everyday items such as watches and crockery. It is one of the strongest steel material grades.

Carbon Steel

The second type of steel is carbon steel, which refers to a combination of carbon and iron. Carbon steel can fall into different grades due to manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur. Carbon offers uniqueness to each grade within steel and ranges from 0.05% to 2%. This percentage influences various properties, such as strength and britleness. Carbon steel is the primary component of many real-world products. It is the main part of the automotive industry. This type of steel is not as durable as stainless steel. It offers weldability properties, making it an efficient choice for structure building.

Alloy Steel

The third type of steel is alloy steel, which comprises a wide array of alloying elements. It is a broad term that defines steel as composed of nickel, boron, silicon, vanadium, and chromium. The amount of alloy varies in each type of steel from 1% to 50%. Generally, the addition of alloys impacts the nature of steel, from its durability and conductivity. Low-alloy steel has less than 8% presence of these elements. Each of its grades of steel has diverse applications. Stainless steel can also fall into this category as it comprises alloys. In various industries, high-strength steel is present in conjunction with alloy steel.

Weathering Steel

Another type of steel that is a part of alloy steel is weathering steel. The reason it has a different category is its corrosion-resistant nature. It comprises low-alloy and has diverse use cases, especially in outdoor applications. This is the reason everyone calls it weather-resistant steel. The nature of weathering steel helps in preventing rust. It also reduces the buildup of oxidised layers on the surface. This makes steel long-term durable. It helps other structures with the least amount of maintenance. Weathering steel is one of those types of steel that has been useful for over 100 years. It is a unique form of carbon steel.

Electric Steel

The last type of steel on our list is electric steel, which comprises silicon. This steel is generally made up of 2% to 3.5% silicon and has uniform magnetic properties. The alloys of this type of steel are reliable, making electric steel. It is suitable for components such as electric motors and transformers. It plays a vital role in various electric equipment. Electric steel also has different grades, with each grade's behavior toward heat. This type of carbon steel has a different nature.

Formation of Different Types of Steel

Two types of smelting processes form different types of steel.

Blast Furnace

Experts fire air into the furnace with iron ore and coke in this type of smelting process. Sometimes, lime is also the part of the furnace with processed coal. It reduces iron from the ore to its metallic form. This process creates an intermediate component, Pig iron. It then forms molten steel in direct reaction with oxygen.

Electric Furnace

The second process of different types of steel formation is through eclectic furnaces. In this process, experts fire natural gas to a direct reduction furnace. Professionals add iron to an electric furnace containing large electrodes. It creates high temperatures through electricity. This process melts the metal, forming molten steel. The end product can also undergo tempering processes. It depends on the type of steel and its nature.

Characteristics of Steel

Different types of steel have unique characteristics. Some common natural elements of steel are the following:

Strength

When it comes to strength, steel has a high score, making it useful for different structural loads. It is a high-strength material, especially in tension, and has diverse use cases. The strength generally depends on the type of steel and its purity. Different types have different compositions of carbon and impurities like sulfur and phosphorus. Each type of steel has a unique strength score. A general score for steel tensile strength is 50800 psi.

Durability

Steel also has a high score In the durability department. It can last over 100 years approximately and doesn't creep or swell. While many factors can affect the durability of steel, in most cases, it remains rigid. It is also reusable and is resistant to accidental damage. Any damage to steel is also repairable through cutting and welding. Steel offers a durable solution for most real-world applications.

Resistance

Speaking of durability, steel also provides a high resistance. Other alloys such as nickel, molybdenum, and chromium, are added. Experts can further enhance the resistance score. These alloys help in corrosion resistance and offer a decent, durable score.

Conductivity

Metals have a high conductivity, but steel generally possesses lower conductivity. It has lower electrical and thermal conductivity. Employing it with other insulating materials can prove to be a shielding material. In general, the thermal conductivity of steel is 45W/(mK), which is lower than copper and aluminum.

Recycling

Another reliable characteristic of steel is its recyclable nature. It can be recyclable and is an energy-efficient material. Approximately 60% of steel can be globally recycled. This makes it a very efficient material for most industrial tasks.

Real-World Uses of Steel

Steel has diverse uses and is the main component across various industries. It has products in the construction and electrical sectors. It is of great use in transportation as well to bridge the gap of durability. This is why many outer bodies of trains and motor vehicles use different types of steel. The manufacturing industry is also a large consumer of steel. This makes it a popular option for heavy-load applications. The medical sector also benefits from different types of steel due to its durable nature. It resists corrosion, hence promoting cleanliness and prevention of infectious growth. Many medical equipment use steel and are heat-sterilized. Steel is a vital part of every industry as a large number of products rely on its strong and versatile nature.

Summary

Steel is a key component of every industry, from medical to construction. Its durable and strong nature provides an excellent solution for real-world applications. This article covered all the key elements of steel. It highlights a complete walkthrough of various types of steel. Each type offers a solution for creating products. These products are suitable for light to heavy-duty work. For instance, carbon steel with high carbon is best for manufacturing light tools. Stainless steel offers heavy durability, making it perfect for hard elements.