Alloy Steel vs Carbon Steel: Which One is Better?

The use of steel accounts for the choice of different forms of steel, among which alloy steel and carbon steel are quite popular.

If you are eager to learn about alloy steel vs carbon steel, the guide below will provide a perfect comparison. So let's read.

Что такое легированная сталь?

Alloy steel is manufactured by combining carbon, iron, and some other elements like molybdenum, nickel, and chromium. The alloy steel offers excellent physical properties, such as corrosion resistance, strength, and toughness.

The additional elements present in it add to these characteristics. However, the cost of the process for creating alloy steel is high due to the extensive method and time required.

Виды легированной стали

There are different types of легированная сталь, and some of them are discussed below.

Chromium Steel

Chromium steel has chromium as the prime material, which ensures resistance against wear and corrosion and high strength. It is extensive and is used in applications like drilling equipment and aerospace parts.

Nickel Steel

Nickel steel, on the other hand, has nickel as the basic element for alloying, which makes it ductile, tough, and corrosion-resistant. It is used in applications like components for aircraft engines, chemical processing equipment, and gas turbine blades.

Molybdenum Steel

Molybdenum steel has molybdenum as the alloying element, which makes the alloy steel resistant to wear and offers strength when subjected to high temperatures.

Vanadium Steel

Vanadium steel has vanadium, which enhances the toughness, fatigue resistance, and strength and makes it suitable for crankshafts, gears, and axles.

Инструментальная сталь

Tool steel has alloying elements like molybdenum, tungsten, and chromium. It has high wear resistance and is tough. Tool steel is used in tooling molds, cutters, and fixtures.

What is Carbon Steel?

Carbon steel is a steel variant that has carbon mixed with iron in different concentrations. It creates an alloy that is versatile, durable, and strong. It even contains traces of silicon and manganese.

It is known for its low cost of production, versatility, and simplicity. It is also produced quickly, but it has less corrosion resistance, strength, and hardness.

Types of Carbon Steel

There are different types of углеродистая сталь, and these are as follows:

Low-Carbon Steel

Low-carbon steel has about 0.3% of carbon and has ductility. It is used in applications that need flexible and intricate profiles. It is used for fences and steel wires.

Medium-Carbon Steel

Medium-carbon steel has carbon in the range of 0.6% to 0.3% and is durable compared to low-carbon steel. It is used in applications consisting of ductility and strength. Some of its applications are shafts, gears, and axles.

High-Carbon Steel

High carbon steel has carbon of about 0.6 to 1.4%, and it is stronger than the other types of carbon steel. It is used in knives, springs, and cutting tools due to its high strength.

Very High Carbon Steel

Very high-carbon steel has carbon in the range of 1.4 to 2% and is also called cast iron. It is brittle and hard and is widely used in applications that require high resistance against wear.

Alloy vs Carbon Steel: Comprehensive Comparison

The two types of steel can be compared with one another in various aspects, as highlighted in the section below.

Прочность

Alloy steel is of high strength as it is composed of nickel and chromium. It also has excellent yield and tensile strength.

Твердость

Alloy steel has vanadium and tungsten, which makes it hard as they are also passed through heat treatments. Carbon steel offers hardness, and tempering processes are needed, but despite this, it is not as hard as alloy steel.

Долговечность

Steel is durable in every type, and hence, it is widely adopted in many applications. However, compared to carbon steel, alloy steel is more durable. Carbon steel is not resistant to corrosion and cannot withstand harsh environments like alloy steel.

Универсальность

Carbon steel has limited versatility, which is dependent on carbon composition. However, alloy steel is quite versatile and can be obtained in different versions based on the properties required.

Устойчивость к коррозии

Alloy steel offers resistance against corrosion, which is not present in carbon steel.

Прочность

Carbon steel is rich in carbon, which makes it tough, and the toughness of alloy steel is less in comparison.

Податливость

In alloy steel, the alloying of different elements makes it less malleable compared to carbon steel.

Свариваемость

Carbon steel has high weldability compared to alloy steel because alloy steel has more alloying elements, whereas carbon steel has more carbon content.

Стоимость

Alloy steel has a higher cost than carbon steel as the cost of carbon steel varies based on the carbon content.

Quick Chart: Alloy Steel vs. Carbon Steel Properties

Below is a quick glance at the comparison between alloy steel and carbon steel.

Applications of Carbon and Alloy Steel

Common Applications of Alloy Steel

The applications of alloy steel can be seen in many industries; it is highly machinable, tough, and strength-oriented. Hence, it is used in structural parts of railways and automobiles.

Some other industries where the applications of alloy steel can be seen are as follows:

• Mining
• Аэрокосмическая промышленность
• Строительство

Common Applications of Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is also a versatile material that is used in the oil and gas sector and petrochemical industry. Some of the other industries where it is used are:

• Строительство
• Pressure vessels and pipes
• Shipbuilding

Alternative Materials to Alloy and Carbon Steel

Alloy and carbon steel have their own properties, but some of the materials that can be used alternatively to these materials are as follows:

Никелевые сплавы: They offer excellent resistance against corrosion, and due to the chemical inertness it offers, they create compounds with excellent malleability and strength.

Aluminum Alloys: It is expensive and equipped with durability and strength; it is also preferred because of the lightweight properties it possesses.

Титан: Титан is a strong, durable, and lightweight material that can be used for applications in the aerospace industry. However, it is hard to process and expensive.

Ceramics: Ceramics are known for durability, corrosion resistance, and strength. However, they are brittle and not suitable for all types of applications.

Choose DEK for Steel Machining

DEK offers relevant skills when it comes to machining steel. So, no matter if you need to have carbon steel components manufactured or alloy steel components manufactured, DEK can be your choice.

We are equipped with specialized equipment and a trained team to help you select and design the right steel and component.

Заключение

As you have read everything in the guide above, the difference between carbon steel and alloy steel must now be very clear. You can now start your new project and make a selection based on the comparison of alloy steel vs carbon steel featured in detail.

Вопросы и ответы

Is carbon or alloy stronger?

Alloy steel offers high tensile strength compared to carbon steel.

Why is alloy steel more expensive than carbon steel?

Alloy steel has a higher cost than carbon steel due to its high machinability and different alloying elements.

Can carbon steel be used in place of alloy steel?

Carbon steel is less resistant to corrosion than alloy steel. Hence, it cannot be used as a replacement for alloy steel.

Which one is better, alloy steel or carbon steel?

The selection of the type of steel varies based on the application. However, due to the lack of corrosion resistance, carbon steel may not be suitable for harsh environments.