Carbon Steel: Properties, Production, Examples and Applications
Carbon steel is an iron-carbon alloy, which contains up to 2.1 wt.% carbon. For carbon steels, there is no minimum specified content of other alloying elements, however, they often contain manganese. The maximum manganese, silicon and copper content should be less than 1.65 wt.%, 0.6 wt.% and 0.6 wt.%, respectively.
Types of carbon steel and their properties
Carbon steel can be classified into three categories according to its carbon content: low-carbon steel (or mild-carbon steel), medium-carbon steel and high-carbon steel [1]. Their carbon content, microstructure and properties compare as follows:
| Carbon content (wt.%) | Microstructure | Properties | Examples |
|
| Low-carbon steel | < 0.25 | Ferrite, pearlite | Low hardness and cost. High ductility, toughness, machinability and weldability | AISI 304, ASTM A815, AISI 316L |
| Medium-carbon steel | 0.25 – 0.60 | Martensite | Low hardenability, medium strength, ductility and toughness | AISI 409, ASTM A29, SCM435 |
| High-carbon steel | 0.60 – 1.25 | Pearlite | High hardness, strength, low ductility | AISI 440C, EN 10088-3 |
Carbon Steel Description
Grade:
1)GB: Q195, Q215, Q235A, Q235B, Q235C, Q235D, Q255A, 255B, Q275, Q295A, Q295B, Q345B, Q345C, Q345D, Q345E, Q390A, Q390B, Q390C,Q390D, Q390E, Q420, Q420B, Q420C, Q420D, Q420E, Q460D, Q460E, Q500D, Q500E, Q550D, Q550E, Q620D, Q620E, Q690D, Q690E
2)EN: S185,S235JR, S275JR, S355JR, S420NL, S460NL S500Q, S550Q, S620Q, S690Q
3)ASTM: Grade B, Grade C, Grade D, A36, Grade 36, Grade 40, Grade42, Grade 50, Grade 55, Grade 60, Grade 65, Grade 80
4)JIS: SS330, SPHC, SS400, SPFC, SPHD, SPHE
PRODUCT DETAILS
| A588
Carbon Steel Plate Description |
| A588 carbon steel plate has been specially treated to show good corrosion
resistance. It can resist corrosion from the atmosphere, sea water, salt
spray and other environments, thus extending its service life. For another, A588 carbon steel plate is made of high-strength steel and has high yield strength and
tensile strength, which can meet the requirements of various structural
parts. The plate also has good welding performance, is easy to weld and
process, and therefore improves the efficiency of engineering
installation. A588 carbon steel plates are suitable for various structural parts that require
corrosion resistance and high strength, such as bridges, buildings, ships,
vehicles, etc. |
| Product Parameters |
| Product Name | A588 Carbon Steel Plate |
| Production Process | Hot Rolling, Cold Rolling |
| Material Standards | AISI, ASTM, ASME, DIN, BS, EN, ISO, JIS, GOST, SAE, etc. |
| Width | 100mm-3000mm |
| Length | 1m-12m, or Customized Size |
| Thickness | 0.1mm-400mm |
| Delivery Conditions | Rolling, Annealing, Quenching, Tempered or Standard |
| Surface Process | Ordinary, Wire Drawing, Laminated Film |
| Chemical
Composition |
| A588 | C | Mn | P | S | Ni | Si | Cr |
| GradeA | ≤ 0.19 | 0.80~1.25 | ≤ 0.04 | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.40 | 0.30-0.65 | 0.40-0.65 |
| GradeB | ≤ 0.20 | 0.75~1.35 | ≤ 0.04 | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.50 | 0.15-0.50 | 0.40-0.70 |
| GradeC | ≤ 0.15 | 0.80~1.35 | ≤ 0.04 | ≤ 0.05 | 0.25-0.50 | 0.15-0.40 | 0.30-0.50 |
| GradeK | ≤ 0.17 | 0.50~1.20 | ≤ 0.04 | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.40 | 0.25-0.50 | 0.40-0.70 |
| Mechanical
Properties |
| A588 | Tensile
Strength | Yield
Strength | Elongation 200mm% | Elongation 50in% |
| Thickness≤100mm | 485 | 345 | 18 | 21 |
| Thickness>100-125mm | 460 | 315 | - | 21 |
| Thickness>125-200mm | 435 | 290 | - | 21 |
| Physical
Performance |
| Physical Performance | Metric | Imperial |
| Density | 7.75g/cc | 0.280 lb/in³ |
| Scope of
Application |
| ASTM
A588 steel is known for its weather resistance. When exposed to external
conditions, its corrosion resistance becomes stronger even if it is not
painted. ASTM A588 steel has four times the corrosion resistance of carbon
steel. The application of ASTM A588 steel is very wide. In addition to its
typical application in welded bridges and buildings, this specification is
also widely used in railway passenger cars; including transmission towers and
telephone towers, trucks, bridges and gusset plates, and housing shells. ASTM
A588 steel also maintains a good strength-to-weight ratio, meeting the high
strength requirements of carbon steel with less weight. |