Thanks to its good properties, mild steel has now become a widely used material in various construction and automation industries. It stands out because it has unmatched weldability and machinability, and in fact its applications are increasing.
This article describes the importance, its uses, its advantages, and how this metal is made.
What is mild steel?
Mild steel is a type of steel that is characterized by having a low carbon content, in fact, it is also known as “low carbon steel”. Although the ranges vary depending on the type of application and the source it has, typically the carbon (C) range is between 0.05% to 0.25% by weight, however, it can sometimes be as low as 2% carbon.
The low percentage of carbon in mild steel it enhances the qualities of pure iron in the material. If it exceeds 2% by weight of carbon, the metal would become cast iron.
Less carbon content means the Mild steel is typically a more ductile, machinable, and weldable metal. Compared to high carbon steels, however, it also means that it is almost impossible to harden and strengthen through heating and cooling processes.
Composition and chemical properties of mild steel
The carbon content in mild steel it is up to 0.25%, however, in many factories they consider that up to 0.45% carbon should be left.
To improve the physical and chemical properties of the metal, other chemical elements are added, in addition, this will make it favorable to be applied to different industries and activities. The elements that can be added include chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), phosphorus (P ), sulfur (S), manganese (Mn), among others
For example, chromium imparts the property of corrosion resistance and increases the hardness of the mild steel.
The following table shows the typical components of mild steel.
| Carbon | from 0.16 to 0.18% (maximum 0.25% allowable) |
| Manganese | 0.70 0.90% |
| Silicon | maximum 0.40% |
| Sulfur | Maximum 0.04% |
| Match | maximum 0.04% |
Mild Steel Physical Properties
The mild steel It is considered as an alloy steel and, therefore, it does not contain large amounts of other elements without taking into account iron, which is obviously the dominant one. This makes it have the following properties and qualities.
- It’s more ductile, machinable and weldable compared to high carbon steels and other steels.
- The modulus of elasticity calculated for industrial grade mild steel is 210,000 MPa. It has an average density of about 7860 kg/m3.
- Mild steel is considered as a great conductor of electricity.So it is quite useful in welding processes.
- Their density is 0.248 pounds per cubic inch. It melts at 2.570°F. It has a specific heat of about 0.122 British Thermal Units (BTU) per pound, per cubic inch.
- It is almost impossible to harden and strengthen during heating and cooling processes.
- It is easily weldable : due to its low carbon content, it is more malleable and suitable for welding.
- It has low carbon content and other alloying elements with the goal of blocking dislocations in the crystal structure, which means it has less tensile strength.
- it’s magnetic thanks to the high amounts of iron and ferrite.
- It is susceptible to oxidation despite its low carbon content, if not coated properly.
- Relatively affordable in price compared to other steels.
Mild Steel Advantages
It is profitable and affordable
The mild steel It is considered one of the least expensive types of steel on the market, and this means that it is used to manufacture various objects of daily use such as car chassis, motorcycle frames and a large number of kitchen utensils.
Its low cost and profitability goes hand in hand with its low carbon content, which is enough to overcome the mechanical work to which it is subjected.
In addition, its easy manufacturing means that it can be produced in large volumes at a low price.
It is easily weldable
Unlike steels that have a high percentage or carbon content, the mild steel It can be welded to fuse with other metals very easily. It is thanks to the physical-chemical properties of the metal that electric currents pass through it without distorting the “composition and structure” of the material.
This is different from, say, stainless steel, where special techniques are needed to weld the metal to a professional standard.
It is ductile and malleable
Ductility is a physical property that allows the deformation and elongation of the material without it breaking. Materials that are strong in this sense can reach more than 15% deformability or ductility permanently and cannot return to their original shape.
The mild steel It is comparable in this sense with copper and thermoplastics, capable of bending and stretching under relatively large stresses, which makes it easier to weld and manufacture.
Can be carbureted
One of the disadvantages of mild steel is its relatively low tensile strength. However, this is solved with carburizing, which is a thermal process in which the metal is heated, releasing carbon in the process. When quenched by quenching, the surface is now hard, while the core remains smooth and strong.
It is easily recyclable
One of the best advantages of mild steel It is that other types of steel or the same material can be created again after having been discarded, thus taking care of the environment.
It is a light steel
Compared to steels that have high carbon content, mild steel is much lighter influenced by the low percentage of carbon. This makes working with this steel easy and it is useful to manufacture auto parts, pipes and for example fences or decorations for homes and businesses.
Mild Steel Uses
Common uses
Due to its malleability, mild steel can be used to build pipes and other construction materials.Even the household kitchen utensils are made with this material.
Mild steel can be easily magnetized due to its ferromagnetic properties and therefore the Electric dispositives can be made from this material.
It is also a suitable material to be used as structural steel. Mild steel is also used by different car manufacturers to make the vehicle bodywork and parts.
Uses in building construction
This type of steel is one of the most accepted to be used in the construction of buildings, all thanks to its high resistance and because it meets seismic requirements, resistance to wind, it cannot be damaged by insects and because it is resistant to fire..
Uses in machinery parts
Just as an important fact, you should know that steel (in its most basic form) is a combination of iron and carbon and these elements can be combined in such a way that they are ductile, malleable and resistant.
Mild steel in this regard is very versatile and can be used to make machine parts.
Cast steel auto parts, for example, are better suited to welding because they do not undergo the same molecular changes as forged parts when reheated.
In addition, they save countless hours of machining, forging, and heat treating, as they only require the smallest final casting once cooled.
Uses in cookware
Although the most used material for kitchen utensils is stainless steel, the truth is that every time mild steel gains its space in this regard due to its great advantages. For example, they are resistant to oxidation, they remain sharp for longer, and they resist higher temperatures.
Pipeline Uses
The main advantage of pipes made in whole or in part from mild steel is that they can be welded very easily, are also more flexible, and do not crack or break under high pressure.