Steel Alloys and Their Properties

Steel is an alloy of iron and other elements. It typically contains a few tenths of a percent carbon, which increases its strength and fracture resistance. Other elements can also be included in the steel fabricator alloy, including chromium, which is used to produce stainless steels, which resist corrosion. The following is a brief overview of common steel alloys and their properties.

Alloy steel

Alloy steel is a type of steel that has been alloyed with several different elements to increase its mechanical properties. Alloy steels are generally divided into two main categories: low-alloy steels and high-alloy steels. However, the distinction between the two is often debated.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is an alloy that is made from different base metals, including iron and carbon. This combination of elements gives the steel its corrosion-resistant properties. People have been experimenting with metal alloys for thousands of years. The history of iron smelting goes back to 1800 B.C., and the crucible method of producing steel dates back to 300 B.C.

Tool steel

Tool steel is a form of carbon steel that has been heat-treated. It typically has a carbon content of 0.5 to 1.5% and is complemented with one or more alloying elements. These alloying elements are added to give the steel better properties against mechanical and thermal stress. However, they also have undesirable side effects and can react with the steel.

Hardness

When specifying metal parts for a manufacturing project, the hardness of the material should be specified. While this seems like a fairly simple task, many engineers have trouble understanding hardness and the different methods of measuring it. The problem is compounded by the fact that hardness testing methods vary widely from one another.

Tensile strength

The tensile strength of steel is the maximum amount of stress it can withstand before breaking. It is also known as yield strength, since it is the stress at which the material regains its original shape without breaking.

Yield strength

Yield strength refers to the maximum stress a metal can sustain without deforming permanently. It is a useful measure of the stiffness of a material, and it is important to know this value when designing a structural component. If the stress applied to a material is higher than its yield strength, it will not bounce back, and it will be permanently damaged.

Malleability

Malleability is a property of metals that allows them to bend or stretch to the desired shape. It is an important characteristic for engineering design applications. Malleability is not directly related to hardness, but instead refers to the arrangement of atoms within the metal. For example, a non-malleable material would have atoms far apart, making it more likely to break when struck by a harder object. A malleable metal would have atoms that are closer together and not completely bonded, which allows it to deform without breaking.

Creep

Creep in steel is a material degradation process that occurs over time. The process is caused by a change in material's microstructure. This process can make some materials harder to work than others. The process is also known as creep fracture and involves the formation of tiny holes. These holes grow until they become large enough to crack. The speed of creep fracture depends on the temperature and stress levels in the material. A better understanding of this process can help engineers improve their designs and manufacturing processes.