Steel is undoubtedly the most favored material used in various industries. Offering great tensile strength, excellent resistance to corrosion, aesthetically sound, and 100% recyclable, the green material has made its way to the top industries, including high-tech, aviation, electronics, chemical, and alike. To curb import substitution and power economy with made-in-India steel and steel products, top steel manufacturers are striving to contribute to economic growth and supply raw materials at the best rates.
The demand for different types of steel is growing exponentially in various manufacturing sectors. From plant sites to large-scale production and other manufacturing domain, steel is invariably used as indispensable equipment as machine parts, support equipment, or as another crucial part.
However, these steel grades or different types of steel are highly preferred in various manufacturing sectors. Read along to explore.
1. Carbon Steel
This type of steel contains 2.1% carbon by weight. The various types of carbon steel include - low-carbon steel, medium-carbon steel, high-carbon steel, and ultra-high-carbon steel. Hardox steel that has a low–medium carbon content also falls under the category and is widely used steel grade by metal fabricators.
Benefits
Carbon steels are some of the most inexpensive types of steel in the market.
● They are solid & durable, which makes them an ideal material for various industrial applications.
● They can be heat treated to improve their properties, such as hardness and strength.
Applications
● In Oil & Gas industry, carbon steel is used for various purposes, such as Pipelines, Pressure vessels, Storage tanks, and Structural components. Carbon steel is a preferable material when great durability and strength are one of the basic demands.
● Another major consumer of carbon steel is the automotive industry, where it is widely used to make machine parts such as body parts, frames, and engine components.
● Carbon steel is also used in the building & construction industry, where it is used to make beams, columns, trusses, and other structural components.
2. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a steel that contains at least 11% chromium. Various types of stainless steel include ferritic, austenitic, martensitic, and duplex stainless steel.
Benefits
● Stainless steels exude great resistance to corrosion & staining.
● They are also solid & durable, making them an absolute material for a variety of applications.
● They are easy to clean & can be maintained easily.
● Stainless steels can be heat treated to elevate their properties, such as strength, hardness, and resistance properties.
Applications
● Stainless steels are widely used in the food & beverage industry to make kitchen utensils, food processing parts, storage tanks, and more.
● Stainless steel is also used in the medical industry to make surgical instruments, medical devices, and prosthetic implants, to name a few.
● In the construction or building industry, stainless steel is used to make structural components, facade systems, and handrails, to name a few.
3. Tool Steels
Tool steel is a type of steel designed for use in tools and dies. It is famous for its hardness & resistance to wear and tear. Different types of tool steel include high-speed steel, air-hardening steel, water-hardening steel, and oil-hardening steel.
Benefits
● Tool steels are tough and resistant to wear, making them ideal for making tools.
Applications
● Tool steels are widely used in the automotive industry to make parts such as cylinder heads, engine blocks, and transmission parts.
● It has varied uses in the aerospace industry to make parts such as turbine blades, aircraft frames, and landing gear.
4. Alloy Steels
To meet your diverse needs, alloy steels is made with the integration of different metals. The main varieties of alloy steels are low-alloy steels, medium-alloy steels, and high-alloy steels.
Benefits
● Alloy steels are stronger & more durable as compared to carbon steels.
● They can withstand higher temperatures than carbon steel or stainless steel.
● They can endure adverse industrial conditions.
Applications
● Pipelines used in the Oil & Gas industry are often made from alloy steels, as they have the ability to withstand extreme pressures & temperatures involved in oil and gas transportation.
● Body panels used in the automotive industry are made from alloy steel, as they have the ability to withstand high stresses involved in transporting passengers & cargo.
● Kitchenware like toasters, pots, and pans are made from alloy steels, as they can endure the high temperatures involved in cooking.