2025-09-11
People often ask what the difference is between stainless steel and carbon steel. However, all steel products contain carbon, so why are some called carbon steel, some stainless steel, and some alloy steel?
Today, we'll use the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) standard to define carbon steel. There are no specified or required minimum levels of chromium, cobalt, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, or any other alloying elements required to achieve the desired alloying properties. The minimum required content for copper is no more than 0.40%, manganese no more than 1.65%, silicon no more than 0.60%, and copper no more than 0.60%.
Does it seem complicated? It's actually quite simple. Carbon steel primarily consists of iron and carbon, with a few alloying elements. Its composition is quite simple. Carbon steel can be categorized as high carbon steel and low carbon steel.
Low carbon steel, sometimes also called carbon steel, is steel with one or more alloying elements added. It generally offers greater strength and corrosion resistance than traditional carbon steel.
Alloy steel, on the other hand, is made from a wide variety of alloying elements. 4140 is a common example of alloy steel. This type of steel has enhanced corrosion resistance and toughness, making it one of the most widely used steels in industry today.
Stainless steel is a base alloy with a high concentration of chromium. Its hallmark is its excellent corrosion resistance. Austenitic stainless steel is the most common type of stainless steel, with common grades like 304 and 316. However, these grades are relatively expensive. Compared to low-carbon steel, stainless steel offers significantly improved strength, hardness, and, most importantly, corrosion resistance. High-carbon steel is comparable in strength to, and sometimes even surpasses, stainless steel.
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