Comparing Carbon and Stainless Steel During Steel Fabrication

What Is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is one of the most popular types of steel used in society, and most of you reading this blog probably already know of stainless steel. But how is it made, and why is it so popular?

Stainless steel gets its name from its high resistance to stain damage caused by corrosion. When other iron-based metals are exposed to oxygen, they degrade and rust, turning a reddish-brown colour before eventually disintegrating. The various types of stainless steel available avoid this fate due to the combination of alloying elements, including iron, carbon, and at least 10.5% chromium content. 

Chromium helps to protect against corrosion by reacting with oxygen upon exposure to create a protective layer that helps avoid any damage to the steel. This added level of protection makes stainless steel widely used across various industries whenever the product is expected to come into contact with moisture. Items created through stainless steel fabrication can be found anywhere from large outdoor industrial sites to the cutlery in your kitchen cupboards.

What Is Carbon Steel?

In contrast to stainless steel, carbon steel is characterised by its high carbon content rather than other elements. This alloy is mainly formed from iron and carbon, with different carbon steel variations existing due to changes in the amount of carbon used. 

The main trait that additional carbon provides to steel is to make it stronger and harder, and naturally, these traits are emphasised as more and more carbon is used. A stronger, more rigid steel is ideal for creating items such as swords and knives, as high carbon steel has natural abrasion resistance. On the flip side, high carbon steel is also brittle due to this hardness, meaning that any product made from this type of steel is more likely to crack when put under extreme pressure. 

If this is going to be an issue for your project’s needs, you can instead use low carbon steel, which has the opposite qualities. Also known as mild steel, any steel with a low amount of carbon will deform under stress rather than breaking, making it easier to use during steel fabrication processes and therefore a popular option for steel fabrication in various industries.

Comparing Stainless and Carbon Steel Traits

Now that you have some knowledge of what stainless and carbon steel are, you may already have an understanding of which option is best for your project. However, if you’re still unsure, the best way to learn more about these types of steel is to compare them based on the most sought-after qualities.

Strength

Stainless steel is much stronger than low carbon steel and is much more suitable for projects requiring resilient materials. High carbon steel offers strength that can rival and occasionally exceed the stainless option, however as mentioned above, the brittle nature of high carbon steel makes it unreliable under extreme pressure.

Maintenance and Appearance

Stainless steel excels in its appearance and the amount of care required to keep the steel strong. If not given some form of added protection in the presence of moisture, carbon steel begins to rust very quickly. In contrast, stainless steel’s natural resistance to corrosion makes it much more low-maintenance.

Cost

Depending on your project’s needs, you may have to look for different grades, which come with varying prices. However, stainless steel is generally more expensive than carbon steel because of the additional elements included in the alloy and the higher level of protection against corrosion stainless steel provides.

Order from Steel Fabrication Experts Today

Whether you choose stainless or carbon steel needs to be based on the specifics of your project. Whichever option you choose, Buy A Beam is here to help. Our intuitive online store connects you with quality steel fabrication companies near you to provide the required materials for your project with confidence and satisfaction guaranteed.