Login
Sep. 09, 2024
Click here to get more.
Low-carbon steel, also known as mild steel, has a comparatively low ratio of carbon to iron compared to other steel types. Typically, its carbon content is within the range of 0.05% and 0.32% by weight. This gives low-carbon steel low strength while making it more malleable and ductile compared to high-carbon steel.
One of the major benefits of low-carbon steel is its cost-effectiveness. As it requires less carbon and other alloying elements, it's normally less expensive than other types of steel. Moreover, low-carbon steels are more readily available and simpler to work with than higher-carbon steels, which makes them a popular choice for a wide range of applications.
Despite its low strength compared to other steel types, low-carbon steel is still strong enough for use in structural applications. Low-carbon steels are also used for machinery parts, as they help to reduce machining costs. Low-carbon steels are easy to shape, which speeds up production times and reduces the cost of machining compared to other materials, such as aluminum. Low-carbon steels are ideal for use in automobile manufacturing, construction, and various types of equipment due to their versatility and ease of fabrication. Furthermore, low-carbon steels are often used in the production of consumer goods and appliances, highlighting their wide range of applications.
Adjustable latch
Stud-mount leveling feet
There are different low-carbon steels with varying amounts of carbon. Below are examples of different types and their applications:
Type Industry Applications Low-carbon structural steel Construction Buildings, bridges Low-carbon sheet and strip steel Sheet metal work Automotive body panels, appliances and other uses that require thin, flat material Low-carbon tubing and piping steel Construction, automotive, heavy equipment, oil and gas Mechanical tubes, pipes for fluid transport, and structural tubing Low-carbon pressure vessel steel Heavy equipment, machinery manufacturing Boilers, pressure vessels and other uses where material must withstand high internal pressures Low-carbon galvanized steel Construction, HVAC, automotive Roofing, automotive body panels, ductwork High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel Construction Building frames, bridges, support structures
The three primary standards for all carbon steels in the U.S. are:
ASTM is the most widely used. For example, one standard is ASTM A307, which covers the specification for carbon steel bolts, studs, and threaded rod with 60,000psi tensile strength.
Under this standard fall two grades:
Standards provide a consistent framework to ensure that materials meet the necessary performance criteria for their intended applications. Grades, on the other hand, are specific classifications within those standards.
Each grade has unique properties and characteristics determined by factors such as chemical composition, heat treatment and mechanical properties. For example, in the table below, youll notice the same standard SAE J403 with three different grades. This is due to the carbon content in each grade.
Some commonly used grades of low-carbon steel include:
Standard Grade Application ASTM A36/A36M A36 Structural steel grade used in buildings, bridges, construction equipment ASTM A513/A513M Automotive parts, machinery components ASTM A53/A53M B Structural and pressure applications, such as water and gas transmission ASTM A516/A516M 70 Boilers and pressure vessels SAE J403 Wire products and fasteners SAE J403 Sheet metal work, automotive components, and wire products SAE J403 Cold heading, automotive components, and sheet metal work ASTM A/AM 33 Sheet metal work, automotive components and construction materials
Each grade has slightly different properties, although the melting point of low-carbon steel is about the same. That said, we can still give a range of values to give you an idea of this materials overall properties.
Property Value Density 0.103 0.292 lb/in³ Tensile Strength, Yield - psi Fracture Toughness 30.0 105 ksi-in½ Shear Modulus ksi Melting Point °F Thermal Conductivity 176 645 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F
Medium-carbon steel has a carbon content typically ranging between 0.3% and 0.6%. This category of steel offers a balance between the ductility and formability of low-carbon steel and the strength and hardness of high-carbon steel.
Medium-carbon steels are stronger and harder than low-carbon steels. This is due to their increased carbon content, but it also means theyre less ductile and more difficult to form and weld. They often require heat treatment, such as quenching and tempering, to achieve desired mechanical properties. This is possible with its manganese content, which ranges between 0.30% to 0.60%.
Medium-carbon steels are commonly used in applications where higher strength and toughness are needed, as shown in the table below. Its also used to make small components, such as concealed hinges.
Common types of medium-carbon steel and their applications include:
Type Industry Application Medium-carbon structural steel Construction, Manufacturing Buildings, bridges, heavy-duty equipment Medium-carbon sheet and strip steel Sheet metal work Machinery parts, Automotive parts Medium-carbon tubing and piping steel Construction, automotive, heavy equipment Mechanical tubes, pipes for fluid Medium-carbon pressure vessel steel Oil and gas, food and beverage, pharmaceutical Pressure vessels Medium-carbon alloy steel Automotive, Heavy machinery Gears, shafts, axles, connecting rods Medium-carbon quenched and tempered steel Automotive, Construction, Heavy machinery Gears, axles, transmissions, crane booms, excavation arms
Products made from medium-carbon steel adhere to specific standards. Within those standards are grades. Commonly used grades of medium-carbon steel and the standard they fall under include:
Each grade has its own properties that distinguishes it from other medium-carbon steel grades. The table below gives you a range of values for medium-carbon-steel properties.
Property Value Density 0.280 0.285 lb/in³ Tensile Strength, Yield psi Fracture Toughness 73.7 130 ksi-in½ Shear Modulus ksi Melting Point °F Thermal Conductivity 152 361 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F
High-carbon steel contains a carbon content ranging between 0.60% 1.5%. Its the most corrosion resistant of the steels due to its high amount of carbon. This increased carbon significantly enhances the steel's hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance. In turn, that makes it suitable for applications that demand high strength and wear resistance.
However, the higher carbon content also makes these steels more brittle and less ductile, which makes it more susceptible to cracking under certain conditions. High-carbon steel is also more challenging to weld than lower-carbon-content steels, due to the risk of cracking and brittleness in the heat-affected zone.
High-carbon-steel uses include anything needing wear resistance and durability, as shown in the table below. High-carbon steel is often used to manufacture springs. A note about plain high-carbon steel, which is often used to mean high-carbon steel. They are different. Plain high-carbon steel consists mostly of carbon and iron, without any significant amounts of alloying elements.
High carbon steel, known for its high strength and hardness, typically contains carbon content between 0.6% and 1.0%. This steel type is characterized by its excellent wear resistance and ability to hold a sharp edge, making it ideal for cutting tools, springs, and high-strength wires. While it is less ductile and more brittle than low carbon steel, the increased carbon content provides enhanced durability and toughness, making high carbon steel suitable for demanding applications. High-carbon steel types, and their applications, include:
Type Industry Application Plain high-carbon steel Manufacturing, automotive, construction Springs, knives, cutting tools, brake components High-carbon tool steel Manufacturing, metalworking, woodworking Cutting tools, punches, dies, injection molding tools, extrusion dies, router bits High-carbon bearing steel Industrial machinery, automotive, aerospace Ball and roller bearings for engines; also, transmissions, wheels, heavy machinery, gearboxes, pumps High-carbon spring steel Electronics, automotive, manufacturing Leaf springs, coil springs, machinery, springs for electronic devices
Grades of all carbon steels are subsets of specific standards. Some of the most commonly used grades of high-carbon steel include the following:
Standard Grade Application ASTM A29/A29M AISI/SAE Springs, gears, axles, heavy-duty machinery components ASTM A29/A29M AISI/SAE Springs, cutting tools, industrial knives and blades ASTM A29/A29M AISI/SAE Springs, automotive suspension components, agricultural machinery parts ASTM A29/A29M AISI/SAE Heavy-duty springs, automotive components, heavy machinery parts ASTM A295 AISI/SAE Bearing steel used in the manufacture of ball and roller bearings ASTM A600 AISI/SAE M2 High-speed tool steel used for cutting tools, drills, and taps ASTM A686 AISI/SAE W2 Water-hardening tool steel used for cutting tools, dies, punches, and woodworking tools
Because standards and grades vary between each other, there is no one value for the properties of high-carbon steel. Below is a broad range of what you can expect.
Property Value Density 0. 0.298 lb/in³ Tensile Strength, Yield psi Fracture Toughness 12.0 150 ksi-in½ Shear Modulus ksi Melting Point 2,800-2,900°F Thermal Conductivity 361 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F
The essential difference is in the steels carbon content, which gives each different characteristics.
Low-carbon steel Medium-carbon steel High-carbon steel Carbon Content 0.05% to 0.32% 0.30% to 0.60% 0.60% to 1.5% Characteristics Ductile
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure youve chosen the right product for what you need.
If youre not quite sure which solution will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast dispatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
us at or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-.
Not too long ago, we wrote a blog about structural steel as a building material and the importance of it. Since then, questions have been flowing in surrounding the topic.
Most questions coming in are about..you guessed it.structural steel I beams.
It is an interesting topic. Many people wonder what makes a beam a beam in the first place.
The engineering world names structural members based upon how they behave under a given load. The member is considered a beam if it supports a load primarily by resisting against bending.
If you are wanting to learn more about beams, specifically about the hype around steel I-beams, please read on.
We will be covering:
A structural steel I beam is a common and essential structural steel shape used for framing metal buildings. Large buildings could not stand without the help of structural steel I-beams.
As the name implies, they are shaped like the capital letter I and are made of two horizontal planes (flanges) connected by one vertical member (web). They can be found behind the walls of hospitals, skyscrapers, parking garages, bridges, warehouses and other large buildings.
So, what makes them so important in the construction of various structures?
Read on to find out.
Steel I-beams are one of the main structural supports in structural steel framing.
In fact, they are often referred to as universal beams. Structural engineers love them because they can be used horizontally to support enormous loads and various span lengths. The shape and design of I-beams makes them resistant to bending, vibration, yielding and reflecting which is crucial for building integrity.
Without these incredible framing members, buildings would cost more money to construct; they would require more materials due to a need for many smaller support systems. Ultimately, these I-beams make construction projects much more efficient.
So, what is their purpose? They help make buildings and structures stand while simultaneously saving on costs and time.
Beams in general are classified by 5 characteristics. Lets jump into these a bit.
Ever heard the term cantilever or fixed when a beam is being referred to? Well that is what we mean by support condition. Its the way a beam is connected to a structure and has to do with a term called bending moment. The bending moment is the reaction induced in a structural element when an external force or moment is applied to the element, causing the element to bend. This matters because different support conditions will have different bending moment diagrams and therefore load path is affected.
*A common example of a cantilever is a balcony. A beam will be supported on one side while the other side extends into open space.Here are some common beam support conditions:
Why does the type of cross section matter? Well, the cross section determines the amount of internal stress that exists inside the member under a specified load. This factor is important and is why beams are partially classified based on cross section type.
There are many different cross section types beyond just an I-beam. A few examples could be:
Link to Hongyuan International
Additional resources:Beam geometry matters because it affects the type and amount of internal stress created inside the beam.
Think of:
We wont go too in depth on this one because it can get a bit bland. But, in a nutshell, a beam can be put into two different categories based upon the type of analysis required to calculate a beam reaction when a load is placed upon it. Those two categories are:
Ready to start your project? Reach out to Complete Building solutions and get a quote absolutely free.
Beam types could be:
If the above beam classifications seemed confusing, its because it is. Structural engineers spend years training to understand all the factors that affect beam classification. Because, after all, it is the structural engineer that will be responsible for choosing (based upon a series of calculations and factors) the right beams for various projects.
The design of a steel I beam allows them to resist bending. With that being said, they are also designed to bend instead of buckle when they are not strong enough to withstand yield stresses.
Structural engineers will consider the following factors (and others) to ensure that they select the correct I beam size to prevent bend or failure.
Structural steel I beams are extremely common and sought after in steel construction. In fact, they can be found in the primary framework for steel framed buildings. This goes back to the fact that they are very strong, efficient and crucial for helping to transfer loads from the rooftop to the soils.
The type of beams selected for a buildings framework heavily depends upon the loads and conditions of each unique situation. Structural engineers are trained to analyze and evaluate each building project in order to create a strong and efficient structural system.
So, if youre wondering why an I beam would be selected over an H beam (or any other beam for that matter) ask your engineer. Most likely, if an H beam is being used, its a project with extremely heavy loads, which (in some cases) may be better suited for an H beam over an I beam.
But, structural engineers are also trained to evaluate costs. They are proficient at knowing what each beam is capable of carrying (based upon a plethora of factors) and choosing the most efficient option in order to keep costs down. Why choose a more expensive beam when a more cost-effective one will suffice?
Listed below are some common places you may find structural steel I beams:
Ok, well this is a loaded question because it depends upon the size of the beam among other scenarios.
First, the beam size needs to be specified. Heres an example of how this is typically done in America- W 20 x 86. This means the beam is 20 inches deep with a weight of 86 lb/ft.
Now, lets talk about the factors that affect how much weight a steel i beam can support-
Some structural steel I beams can actually span over 100 feet. Remember that I beams cannot be looked at in isolation. The whole building plan must be considered. Of course, the size of the beam itself is important, but so are the loads (dead, live and snow loads) above the beam, the supports below the beam and where the loads themselves sit upon the beam.
Wouldnt it be great if there was a magical standard I beam size? That doesnt exist.
Why?
Because the structural members required in a given building plan (including steel I beams) depend completely upon the live, dead and snow and other loads placed upon it.
Lets define these.
Dead load-
Dead loads, also known as permanent or static loads, are those that remain relatively constant over time and comprise, for example, the weight of a buildings structural elements, such as beams, walls, roof and structural flooring components (source).
To summarize, dead loads account for the framing lumber and other loads that will permanently exist. It makes sense that a building plan needs to ensure it can at least hold itself up, right?
Live load- Live loads are the loads that are not permanent such as people or furniture. Why is this important? Well, what if the intended purpose of your project was a dance hall? There could be hundreds of bodies occupying that space at a time, calling for a stronger support beam.
Snow load- Can you guess what these are? You got it, the load added to a structural support system from snow accumulation on a rooftop.
Other loads- There are other loads that sometimes need to be accounted for such as wind, seismic and thermal loads. Your structural engineer will know how to account for these.
So again, there is no standard structural steel I beam size or span. Each beam must be customized to fit the project at hand. Does the beam need to support extreme snow loads? Is the beam covering a 100 foot span? Is the beam carrying 4 levels above the basement? You can see how each situation is different. And because of this, an engineer must use their knowledge to perform mathematical calculations to size it appropriately.
Customers may ask, So what youre saying is that no 2 houses will ever be the same in regards to beam sizing and span? What we are saying is that in Minnesota, every beam that is installed must be sized by a structural engineer. That is just code and required to pull building permits.
Heres a fun fact though.
There are actually certain neighborhoods where you may find homes with the same beam sizing because one builder probably built all those houses and each house carries the same loads. For example, there are neighborhoods in Bloomington, Minnesota where one main builder in the s built every home. Those are nearly identical structurally.
Again, the main takeaway here is that some professional builders may have a good idea on what size beam is needed to span a certain distance. That just comes with experience. However, a structural engineer will still need to look at each beam and size it appropriately.
There are many different grades of structural steel I beams. The grade chosen will depend upon the loads an I beam needs to carry.
In construction, the most popular are A572, A588, A992 and A36.
Just a reminder, in order for steel to be considered structural it must have a carbon content of only 0.05-0.25%.
A36- This is a popular option for beams because its low carbon and affordable. However, as a mild steel, it can rust. On the flip side, it does have better weldability than other grades.
n and affordable. On top of this the yield strength is unmatched.
A572- This high-strength steel stands out in situations where a project needs a higher strength to weight ratio. It offers great tensile strength, weldability and is quite affordable.
A588- This grade has a higher tensile and yield strength than both A36 and A572. Its this products unparalleled atmospheric corrosion resistance (manufactured with copper) that makes it a great fit for outdoor projects.
A992- This grade is similar to A572 with its low ratio of weight to strength but has added alloy elements that optimizes the inside structure of the steel. It can often be seen in bridge construction.
There are five main properties to be considered when designing steel I beams.
Structural steel I beams can be manufactured by 4 unique processes resulting in: rolled beams, extruded beams, welded beams or riveted beams.
In general, steel I beams can cost $5-$20 per foot in materials. This could end up being anywhere from $1,200-$5,000 installed. Now, dont forget about other costs like knocking down walls, rewiring or moving utility lines or additional structural support needs.
If you are interested in the general steps needed to install a large main support beam in the basement, read on.
Every contractor has their preferred vendor to work with. For instance, here in Minnesota, many contractors work with Midwest Steel and Aluminum. Theres also South St. Paul Steel Supply Co.
Places, such as The Home Depot, may also be able to supply you with your I beam needs.
If you are unsure where to go, hit google up and see what options pop up. Reading customer reviews may give you an idea if you want to do business with the company.
Well, thats it.
Youve just read through our most frequently asked questions in regards to steel I beams. We really make an effort to answer readers and clients questions thoroughly and wholly. If you were unable to get the answers you were seeking here, please comment or give us a call so we can steer you in the right direction and/or update this piece. 763-544-. Thank you!
The company is the world’s best Steel Profiles For Sale supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
39 0 0
Join Us
Comments
All Comments ( 0 )