Carbon Steel |

Carbon steel composition

Carbon steels and alloy steels are designated by a four digit number, where the first digit indicates the main alloying element(s), the second digit indicates the secondary alloying element(s), and the last two digits indicate the amount of carbon, in hundredths of a percent (basis points) by weight. For example, a 1060 steel is a plain-carbon steel containing 0.60 wt% C

Carbon steel, also called plain carbon steel, is a malleable, iron-based metal containing carbon, small amounts of manganese, and other elements that are inherently present. These elements are manganese, with a 1.65% maximum, silicon, with a 0.60% maximum, and copper, with a 0.60% maximum. Other elements may be present in quantities too small to affect its properties. Steels can either be cast to shape like Carbon steel Pipe, Carbon steel Pipe fittings, Carbon steel flanges or wrought into various mill forms from which finished parts are formed, machined, forged, stamped, or otherwise shaped.

GRADES OF CARBON & ALLOY STEEL WE SUPPLY

There are four types of carbon steel based on the amount of carbon present in the alloy. Lower carbon steels are softer and more easily formed, and steels with a higher carbon content are harder and stronger, but less ductile, and they become more difficult to machine and weld. Below are the properties of the grades of carbon steel we supply:

Low Carbon Steel – Composition of 0.05%-0.25% carbon and up to 0.4% manganese. Also known as mild steel, it is a low-cost material that is easy to shape. While not as hard as higher-carbon steels, carburizing can increase its surface hardness.
Medium Carbon Steel – Composition of 0.29%-0.54% carbon, with 0.60%-1.65% manganese. Medium carbon steel is ductile and strong, with long-wearing properties.
High Carbon Steel – Composition of 0.55%-0.95% carbon, with 0.30%-0.90% manganese. It is very strong and holds shape memory well, making it ideal for springs and wire.
Very High Carbon Steel – Composition of 0.96%-2.1% carbon. Its high carbon content makes it an extremely strong material. Due to its brittleness, this grade requires special handling.

Carbon steel properties

AISI 12L14 Steel, cold drawn, 19-38 mm round

COMPONENT	WT. %
C	Max 0.15
Fe	97.91 – 98.7
Mn	0.85 – 1.15
P	0.04 – 0.09
Pb	0.15 – 0.35
S	0.26 – 0.35

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES	METRIC	ENGLISH	COMMENTS
Density	7.87 g/cc	0.284 lb/in³	Typical for steel

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	METRIC	ENGLISH	COMMENTS
Hardness, Brinell	163	163
Hardness, Knoop	184	184	Converted from Brinell hardness
Hardness, Rockwell B	84	84	Converted from Brinell hardness
Hardness, Vickers	170	170	Converted from Brinell hardness
Tensile Strength, Ultimate	540 MPa	78300 psi
Tensile Strength, Yield	415 MPa	60200 psi
Elongation at Break	10%	10%
Reduction of Area	35%	35%
Modulus of Elasticity	200 GPa	29000 ksi	Typical for Steel
Bulk Modulus	140 GPa	20300 ksi	Typical for Steel
Poisson’s Ratio	0.29	0.29	Typical for Steel
Machinability	160%	160%	Based on 100% machinability for AISI 1212 steel
Shear Modulus	80 GPa	11600 ksi	Typical for Steel

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES	METRIC	ENGLISH	COMMENTS
Electrical Resistivity	1.74e-005 ohm-cm	1.74e-005 ohm-cm	Typical for steel

THERMAL PROPERTIES	METRIC	ENGLISH	COMMENTS
CTE, linear 20°C	11.5 µm/m-°C	6.39 µin/in-°F
CTE, linear 250°C	12.2 µm/m-°C	6.78 µin/in-°F	Converted from Brinell hardness
CTE, linear 500°C	13.9 µm/m-°C	7.72 µin/in-°F	Converted from Brinell hardness
CTE, linear 1000°C	14.7 µm/m-°C	8.17 µin/in-°F	Converted from Brinell hardness
Specific Heat Capacity	0.472 J/g-°C	0.113 BTU/lb-°F
Thermal Conductivity	51.9 W/m-K	360 BTU-in /hr-ft²-°F

Chemical Requirements Carbon Alloy Steels used in Piping applications

ASTM A53

Specification for Seamless and Welded Black and Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel Pipe

Composition, max, %
Element	C	Mn	P	S	Cu (1)	Ni (1)	Cr (1)	Mo (1)	V (1)
Type S (seamless pipe)
Grade A	0.25	0.95	0.05	0.045	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.15	0.08
Grade B	0.30	1.20	0.05	0.045	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.15	0.08
Type E (electric-resistance-welded)
Grade A	0.25	0.95	0.05	0.045	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.15	0.08
Grade B	0.30	1.20	0.05	0.045	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.15	0.08
Type F (furnace-welded pipe)
Grade A	0.30	1.20	0.05	0.045	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.15	0.08

Note:

The total composition for these five elements shall not exceed 1.00%.

ASTM A105
Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for Piping Applications

Composition, %
Element	C	Mn	P	S	Si	Cu	Ni	Cr	Mo	V
	0.35 max	0.60- 1.05	0.035 max	0.040 max	0.10- 0.35	0.40 max (1)	0.40 max (1)	0.30 max (1-2)	0.12 max (1-2)	0.08 max

Notes:

The sum of Copper, Nickel, Niobium, Molybdenum and Vanadium shall not exceed 1.00%.
The sum of Niobium and Molybdenum shall not exceed 0.32%.
Note: For each reduction of 0.01% below the specified carbon maximum (0.35%), an increase of 0.06% Manganese above the specified maximum (1.05%) will be permitted up to a maximum of 1.35%.

ASTM A106
Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service

Composition, %
Element	C max	Mn	P max	S max	Si min	Cr max (3)	Cu max (3)	Mo max (3)	Ni max (3)	V max (3)
Grade A	0.25 (1)	0.27- 0.93	0.035	0.035	0.10	0.40	0.40	0.15	0.40	0.08
Grade B	0.30 (2)	0.29- 1.06	0.035	0.035	0.10	0.40	0.40	0.15	0.40	0.08
Grade C	0.35 (2)	0.29- 1.06	0.035	0.035	0.10	0.40	0.40	0.15	0.40	0.08

Notes:

For each reduction of 0.01% below the specified Carbon maximum, an increase of 0.06% Manganese above the specified maximum will be permitted up to a maximum of 1.35%.
Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, for each reduction of 0.01% below the specified Carbon maximum, an increase of 0.06% Manganese above the specified maximum will be permitted up to a maximum of 1.65%.
These five elements combined shall not exceed 1%.