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Carbon & Low-Alloy Casting

What Is Carbon Steel?

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Carbon steel plays a pivotal role in the steel casting industry, and it can be categorized into three types based on its carbon content:

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  • Low-carbon steels (< 0.20% C): These steels offer a broad spectrum of tensile properties through heat treatment. They can be hardened to attain high surface hardness, providing excellent resistance to abrasion while maintaining good core ductility.

  • Medium-carbon steels (0.20 to 0.50% C): This grade of carbon steel enhances durability, flexibility, and strength. It offers a wide range of tensile strengths along with good ductility and impact resistance. It is also easy to machine after being softened.

  • High-carbon steels (> 0.50% C): These steels possess exceptional strength and shape memory, making them an excellent choice for manufacturers producing springs. They excel in high-strength applications and exhibit resistance to wear and abrasion, making them suitable for heavy-duty applications as well.

What Is Low-Alloy Steel?

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Low-alloy steels incorporate specific proportions of chromium, nickel, or molybdenum alongside carbon to enhance their capacity for hardening and toughness. These types of steels find widespread utility in industries such as oil and gas, pump and valve manufacturing, as well as applications in military vehicles and heavy machinery used in earth-moving and construction. Commonly introduced elements into carbon steels include Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), and Molybdenum (Mo). Nickel serves to resist corrosion while contributing strength, stability, and toughness. Chromium is employed to combat wear and corrosion, aiding in enhancing both the strength and hardening capabilities of the steel. Molybdenum is added to confer resistance to high temperatures and elevate the overall strength and hardenability of the steel.

Benefits of Casting Carbon Steel and Low-Alloy Steel

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  • Cost-effectiveness due to low material expenses

  • Availability of numerous material grades

  • Versatility for a wide array of industries and applications

  • Exceptional structural integrity

Material
Grade
Common Characteristics
Carbon Steel
1000 Series

The 1000 series carbon steel is softer than most other carbon steels, and it tends to deform rather than fracture under excessive stress. It is commonly used in the industry for crafting cranks, handles, and braces.

4100 Series

The 4100 series carbon steel boasts exceptional strength and is frequently used for components where deformation is not permissible. It is a popular choice in manufacturing firearm parts and ratchets.

8600 Series

The 8600 Series carbon steel falls in between the 4100 and 1000 series in terms of mechanical properties. While it's not as strong as the 4100 series, it exhibits resilience and won't fracture before bending. This type of steel is frequently used in crafting firearm parts, housings, and nozzles.

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