The Difference Between Carbon Steels

4 min read

The world of carbon steels can be challenging to wrap your head around. There are many different options to choose from, and each type of steel has different benefits. The main differentiating factor is the amount of carbon that is mixed with iron during production. Other materials, mainly metals, can be added to change the physical properties. Notably, chromium is added to form stainless steel, while other additives can change tensile strength, ductility, or toughness. When looking at the big picture, there are three distinctions between carbon steels: low, medium, and high.

Low carbon steel

Low carbon steels such as 302, 304 or 316 grades of stainless are typically used in applications which require high degrees of corrosion resistance but do not require a hardened surface. The carbon content of these steels typically range between 0.03-0.08%, and consumers typically use these grades of stainless (often without thinking about it) in kitchen equipment, silverware or almost any grade of un-plated steel used in food preparation. It’s great because it can survive the dishwasher without rusting, but it cannot be case hardened due to the very low carbon content.

While it can be used to make linear shafting, it isn’t suitable for loaded ball contact. So if a linear ball bushing were to be used on a soft 304 stainless steel shaft, for example, the balls in the bearing would quickly impact the shaft surface, resulting in visible ball tracking on its surface and a drastic reduction in both bearing and shaft life. It can, however, be used in conjunction with polymer, plain-style bearings which provide great options for both corrosion resistance and self-lubrication. For the right applications, a 300 series stainless steel linear shaft presents a great option for withstanding tough environmental conditions! 

Medium carbon steel

Medium carbon steels include grades with carbon contents ranging from 0.25% to 0.60% of the steel mass. Medium carbon grades are typically employed in conjunction with alloys such as chromium, nickel and molybdenum to produce high strength, wear resistance and toughness. Products using medium grades of carbon steel include gears, axles, studs and other machine components that require optimal combinations of strength and toughness.

Medium carbon steels have good machining characteristics, and one of the more popular grades used in machined steel product is AISI 1045.   AISI 1045 can also be hardened by heating the material too approximately 820-850C (1508 -1562 F) and held until the material reaches a uniform temperature. It should be soaked for one hour per 25 mm section of material and subsequently cooled in still air. 

High carbon steel

High carbon steels are those with carbon contents between 0.60% and 1.4% of the overall weight. The alloys in this particular category constitute the strongest and hardest within the three groups, but they are also the least ductile. These steels are used in a range of different mechanical, cutting and bearing applications as it can be hardened through heat treating and tempering. Additional alloys can be added to this steel category in order to generate different characteristics. Chromium and Manganese, for example, are used in the composition of 52100 steel and aid in the hardening process while enhancing the steel’s resistance to corrosion. Since 52100 is one of the steel grades frequently used to manufacture linear shafting, precise control of the case depth can be critical to generate a shaft with both a hardened surface (for loaded ball contact) and an un-hardened inner core which prevents the shaft from becoming brittle.

Steel alloys are given designators by organizations such as the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for easier classification and identification. AISI typically follows a four digit system, where the first two digits indicate the alloy, and the second two digits denote the carbon content. ASTM uses an “A” to denote ferrous materials, followed by an arbitrarily assigned number for each alloy.

Regardless of the system used, this standardization allows cross talk between designers, engineers, and builders to ensure the proper material is being selected and used in engineering projects. It also makes looking up physical properties of alloys very easy, as a simple search with the identification number produces the correct information.

As with any selection, there are always advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind when choosing a carbon steel. The main things to consider when choosing carbon steel include final use, required physical properties, and cost. After deciding between low, medium, and high carbon contents, a specific alloy can be chosen from readily available lists to fit your exact needs.

Explore the variety of carbon steel or other materials with our improved Automation Materials configurator here.

About the Author

Carlicia Layosa

Carlicia is the Marketing Automation Manager at MISUMI. She holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate, Marketo Certified Expert, and is passionate about education and training.

11 thoughts on “The Difference Between Carbon Steels

  1. Great Article. Thanks for the info, super helpful. Does anyone know where I can find a blank “aisi 1045 Form” to fill out?

  2. I was aware about general difference about carbon steels. But this article explains the difference in details. Low, medium and high distinction between carbon steels is explained really well.

  3. I knew about the general differences in carbon steels. This article explains the distinction in more detail. Medium, low and high distinctions between carbon steels is described in detail.

    1. 302, 304 & 306 are grades of stainless steel and not normally considered “Low Carbon Steel”.

      Steel containing less than 0.30% carbon is considered Low Carbon, sometimes called mild steel. It is characterized by properties such as ductility and machinability.

  4. It is all in the heat treat process 10-50 to 10-90 and what you want to do with it. Just remember stainless steel does NOT stop stains and can’t be heat treated. The more carbon is heat treated the more it will resist stains. If using High Carbon steel you will want to put Choji oil on after use to protect it while it’s waiting to get used again. Choji oil is for Katanas’ & expected to cut through bone so the oil is of course three hundred years old and has obviously it worked well.

  5. Very informative read, Carlicia! Carbon steels are extensively employed in almost every industry and are classed as low, medium, or high carbon. The carbon content of steel has a significant impact on its mechanical characteristics. For example, steel usually has stronger strength and lesser ductility as the carbon content increases. In other words, the carbon in steel is often lowered such that it falls into one of three major carbon steel categories: low, medium, and high carbon steel.

  6. Excellent article, Carlicia! The carbon present in steel is usually reduced and divided into three core categories: low, medium and high. Typical applications of low-carbon steel are car parts and food cans, medium-carbon steel is used in making shafts, couplings and forgings and high-carbon steel are ideal for the manufacturing sector.

  7. I knew about the general differences between carbon steels. This article discusses the distinction in more information

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