It is well known that there are many types of steel on the market nowadays, such as carbon steel and stainless steel. Their appearances are quite similar, making it difficult to distinguish between them. So, what are the differences between carbon steel and stainless steel?
Here are five differences:
1. Different appearances
Stainless steel is composed of metals such as chromium and nickel, so its appearance is silvery and bright, with a smooth surface and excellent luster. Carbon steel is an alloy of carbon and iron, so its color is gray and its surface is rougher than that of stainless steel.
2. Different corrosion resistance
Both carbon steel and stainless steel contain iron. It is known that iron will gradually oxidize when exposed to the environment, resulting in rust on the surface. However, stainless steel is added with chromium. Chromium is more likely to combine with oxygen than iron.
As long as chromium is exposed to oxygen, it will form a chromium oxide layer, which can directly protect the steel from degradation and corrosion. The chromium content in carbon steel is also lower, so a small amount of chromium cannot form a chromium oxide layer. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of stainless steel is better than that of carbon steel.
3. Different wear resistance
The hardness of carbon steel is higher than that of stainless steel, but its weight is greater and its plasticity is lower. Therefore, in terms of wear resistance, carbon steel is much more wear-resistant than stainless steel.
4. Different Prices
During the production of stainless steel, a certain amount of other alloys must be added, but carbon steel is completely different and does not add a large amount of other alloys. Therefore, the price of stainless steel is much higher than that of carbon steel.
5. Different ductility
The ductility of stainless steel is better than that of carbon steel. This is mainly because the nickel content in stainless steel is relatively high, and these elements have better ductility. Therefore, the ductility of stainless steel is also better. Carbon steel contains very little nickel, which can be ignored, but its ductility is poor.
Steel actually describes an entire family of metal alloys with hundreds of specific grades for various applications, but most people divide steel into two broad categories: carbon steel and stainless steel.
Carbon steel and stainless steel share the same basic components of iron and carbon. The main difference lies in the alloy content – carbon steel has an alloy content of less than 10.5%, while stainless steel must contain 10.5% or more chromium. This fundamental difference is the reason why carbon steel and stainless steel have unique physical properties.
Steel Composition
The basic elements of steel are iron and carbon. Generally speaking, steel with a higher carbon content is hard and brittle, while steel with a lower carbon content is ductile and tough.
Of course, it is rarely that simple. Alloy elements such as chromium, molybdenum, nickel, manganese, or silicon can be added to improve corrosion resistance or achieve a better balance between strength and toughness.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel consists of iron and 0.12 – 2.00% carbon. A broader definition includes alloy steels, which can have an alloy content of up to 10.5%. Even within the range of less than two percent carbon content, there are significant differences in physical properties, especially in hardness.
When people talk about carbon steel, they usually refer to high-carbon steel used for knives and tools. High-carbon steel is very hard, which makes it resistant to wear and able to maintain its shape. It can withstand a lot of force before deforming. Unfortunately, hard metals are also brittle: under extreme tensile stress, high-carbon steel is more likely to crack than bend.
Low-carbon steel is more common than high-carbon steel because:
(1) it has a lower production cost
(2) it has better ductility
(3) it is easier to manufacture.
Low-carbon steel tends to deform under stress rather than break, and this ductility makes it easy to process and weld. It is often used in car body panels, bolts, clamps, seamless tubes, and steel plates.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is used in chemical plants and food factories because it can function in damp environments without rusting. Stainless steel contains iron, carbon and at least 10.5% chromium. Chromium is key – it reacts with oxygen to form a passive layer that protects the steel from corrosion.
This protection reduces the possibility of stainless steel rusting – which is important for outdoor site furniture such as bollards that are installed in damp environments. The higher the chromium content, the better the corrosion resistance.
When purchasing appliances and other large items, be sure to pay attention to the grade of stainless steel. Not all steels are the same. Stainless steel with a minimum chromium content of 10.5% is much cheaper and less durable than stainless steel with a chromium content of 16%, and the difference will be reflected in maintenance costs and service life.
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