How are carbon steels classified? Types of carbon steel
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2025/11/17
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What is carbon steel? Carbon steel refers to an iron-carbon alloy with a carbon content below 2% and containing small amounts of other mixed impurities. In industrial applications, the carbon content of carbon steel typically does not exceed 1.4%. The processing of carbon steel is complex, so it’s crucial to carefully control its carbon content. Next, let’s share with you how carbon steel grades are classified and what types of carbon steel there are. If you’re interested in learning more, join us—hopefully, this will be helpful to you!
What is carbon steel? Carbon steel refers to an iron-carbon alloy with a carbon content below 2% and containing small amounts of other mixed impurities. In industrial applications, the carbon content of carbon steel typically does not exceed 1.4%. The processing of carbon steel is complex, so it’s crucial to carefully control its carbon content. Next, let’s share with you how carbon steel grades are classified and what types of carbon steel there are. If you’re interested in learning more, join us—hopefully, this will be helpful to you!
How are carbon steel grades classified?
Carbon steel can be classified into low-carbon steel, medium-carbon steel, and high-carbon steel according to its chemical composition (i.e., carbon content).
(1) Low-carbon steel
Also known as mild steel, low-carbon steel has a carbon content ranging from 0.10% to 0.30%. It is easily processed through various methods such as forging, welding, and cutting, and is commonly used in the manufacture of chains, rivets, bolts, shafts, and other components.
(2) Medium-carbon steel
Carbon steel with a carbon content ranging from 0.25% to 0.60%. It includes various grades such as killed steel, semi-killed steel, and boiling steel. In addition to carbon, it may also contain small amounts of manganese (0.70% to 1.20%). According to product quality, it is classified into ordinary carbon structural steel and high-quality carbon structural steel. It exhibits good hot-working and machinability properties but relatively poor weldability. Its strength and hardness are higher than those of low-carbon steel, while its ductility and toughness are lower. It can be used directly without heat treatment, either in the form of hot-rolled or cold-drawn products, or after undergoing heat treatment. Medium-carbon steel, after quenching and tempering, demonstrates excellent overall mechanical properties. The maximum hardness achievable is approximately HRC55 (HB538), with a tensile strength σb ranging from 600 to 1100 MPa. Therefore, medium-carbon steel finds its most extensive application in various applications requiring moderate strength levels; besides serving as a construction material, it is also widely used in the manufacture of diverse mechanical components.
(3) High-carbon steel
Tool steels, often referred to as such, have a carbon content ranging from 0.60% to 1.70% and can be hardened and tempered. Hammers, crowbars, and similar tools are made from steels with a carbon content of 0.75%; cutting tools such as drill bits, taps, and reamers are made from steels with a carbon content between 0.90% and 1.00%.
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