Carbon steel typically falls into one of the following categories: low, medium and high carbon. Based on what you require during your next project, you're going to want to choose a carbon content that prioritises either strength, hardness and longevity or ductility, weldability and general workability.
The mechanical properties you desire and the ones that are driven by the requirements of your latest project are determined by the content of the carbon present in the steel itself. Typically, the higher the carbon content, the stronger your steel materials are going to be and the lower the carbon content, the easier they're going to be to work with.
Consisting of iron alloyed with varying levels of carbon - the latter helping to give the steel its strength - carbon steel is designed to provide you with the versatility and the choice of mechanical properties that you want from your construction materials. For reference, low carbon steel has a carbon composition of 0.05-0.25%, medium carbon has around 0.25-0.5% and high carbon steel has a carbon content of 0.5-1.25%.
In our latest blog, Austen Knapman will focus on low carbon steel - a variant that is surging in popularity - exploring why it has become one of the most desirable construction industry materials, as well as some of the key benefits you need to know about.
What Is Low Carbon Steel?
Low carbon steel, otherwise known as mild steel, is one of the most popular choices of steel in the construction and manufacturing industries as well as for more general DIY applications. It is defined by its low carbon to iron percentage relative to other steels and is considered to strike a practical balance between strength and workability.
Mild steel is also our most popular product range at Austen Knapman. Buy mild steel round bar, flat bar, angle, box section, tube, galvanised tube, square bar, pressed steel channel, Tee bar and more.
What Are The Benefits Of Low Carbon Steel?
What We Offer...
Choose from a vast range of mild steel products, available cut-to-size to meet the needs of your next commercial, domestic, industrial, DIY or garden project. Choose the length, thickness, diameter and quantity needed, then simply enter the dimensions you require for your mild steel round bar to receive a free on-screen quote for your order. We’ll deliver your order cut-to-size to suit your requirements.
This L-shaped metal angle bar provides a reliable and solid structure for the construction of fences or trailers, and is often used for fence posts, as well as a range of other uses. Available in our exact dimensional size requirements: simply input your chosen length, thickness and quantity into the price calculator to receive an on-screen quote for your order.
Suitable for an array of commercial, domestic, industrial, DIY and garden uses, our Cut To Size Mild Steel Round Bar is a strong, versatile and easy to form metal rod with brilliant strength and formability properties.
Our square, hollow section tube is ideal for the construction of lightweight frames, structural projects, security uses, fabrication and transport. Available in A & B lengths, thickness options and the quantity of your choice, its lower carbon content makes it far easier to form and therefore more versatile for your next project.
