In accordance with the definition of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) the term carbon steel (aka plain carbon steel) is applicable to material:

- when no minimum content is specified or required for chromium, cobalt, columbium [niobium], molybdenum, nickel, titanium, tungsten, vanadium or zirconium, or any other element to be added to obtain a desired alloying effect, or

- when the specified minimum for copper does not exceed 0.40 percent, or

- when the maximum content specified for any of the following elements does not exceed the percentages noted: manganese 1.65, silicon 0.60, copper 0.60.

The Carbon Steel grades are derived by difference in the content in the material composition. These differences influence the Carbon Steel density. The density involves the weight, tensile strength and some other mechanical properties of the material. The addition of the elements in the right quantities to the carbon steel composition enhance strength, reduce brittleness  and makes carbon steel grades suitable for different applications such as ship building, wire construction, vehicle bodies, fencing, gates and railings.

As a group, carbon steels are by far the most frequently used steels accounting for around 90% of total steel production. Their producers offer different grades of Carbon Steel materials with variations in prices.

There are four major types of carbon steel outlined below.

Low Carbon Steel (aka mild steel)Low-carbon steels contain up to 0.30% of carbon (C). Typical composition consists of 0.04%  up to 0.25% C. Depending on the required properties, certain elements can be added or increased. (e.g. in structural steel, carbon and manganese content is higher.) The largest category of this class of steel is flat-rolled products (sheet or strip), usually in the cold-rolled and annealed condition. The carbon content for these high-formability steels is very low, less than 0.10% C, with up to 0.4% Mn. Typical uses are in automobile body panels, tin plate, and wire products. For rolled steel structural plates and sections, the carbon content may be increased to approximately 0.30%, with higher manganese content up to 1.5%. These materials may be used for stampings, forgings, seamless tubes, and boiler plate. Grades: SAE AISI(*) 1010 (G10100**), 1018 (G10180),1020 (G10200), 1022 (G10220).

Medium Carbon Steel Medium-carbon steels are similar to low-carbon steels except that the carbon ranges from 0.30 to 0.60%  (sometimes reaching 0.84%) and the manganese from 0.60 to 1.65%. Stronger than low carbon steel, but harder to weld, form, or cut. Increasing the carbon content to approximately 0.5% with an accompanying increase in manganese allows medium carbon steels to be used in the quenched and tempered condition. Medium-carbon steels are used for gears, rails, railway wheels and rail axles, axle shafts, pipelines, fridges, cars couplings and structural support beams. Grades: SAE AISI(*) 1030 (G10300**), 1040 (G10400),1045 (G10450), 1060 (G10600).

High Carbon Steel Commonly known as “carbon tool steel ”High-carbon steels contain from 0.60 to 1.5% C with manganese contents ranging from 0.30 to 0.90%.  Very difficult to bend, weld, or cut. Once heat-treated, it becomes quite hard and brittle. High-carbon steels are used for spring materials and high-strength wires.

Very High or Ultra Carbon Steel Ultrahigh-carbon steels are experimental alloys containing 1.25 to 2.0% C. Extremely strong metal used in larger machine parts, industrial casting, metal cutting tools, hot water radiators and other high strength applications. This material is brittle and requires special handling. Through processing with alloys, ultra high-carbon steel becomes one of the most durable carbon steels on the market.

Carbon steel products in different forms (pipes/tubes, sheets/plates, bars/rods and others) are offered as part of our own branded (AVIATIONEU NEW ERA) product lines in different dimensions and round, square or rectangular cross sections (in the case of tubing or bars/rods) to meet project requirements. Depending on the producer they can be furnished in different conditions, sizes & pre-cut or Cut to Order (CTO) lengths in Imperial (Inch) or Metric systems. Metric round tubes are available in different outer diameters and wall thicknesses in mm and cut to order lengths in meters or centimeters. Those in inch system are available in outer diameters and wall thicknesses in inches and pre cut or cut to order lengths in feet.

For additional information, please refer to the supplied documentation, the individual product presentations or contact us.

(*) Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI)

(**)  Unified Numbering System ( UNS) Number. UNS is an alloy designation system for Metals & Alloys providing a means of correlating many internationally used metal and alloy numbering systems administered by their producers, societies, trade associations, and individual users.

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The information supplied in individual product presentations is based on published data from the manufacturers/ distributors and/or other sources and it is believed to be accurate. However, such information is furnished upon the express condition that the prospective buyers shall make their own assessment to determine the product suitability for their particular application/purpose. AVIATIONEU GROUP companies cannot be held responsible for the validity and accuracy of the appearing information and product specifications. In the case of chemicals, please also refer to their  technical data sheets, labels and material safety data sheets (as applicable) before using them.