Steel is one of the most common materials in the world, representing an industry that produces 1.3 billion tons per year, and it is a material used in the construction of many architectural creations.
There are many subcategories of steel, and depending on the different qualities and characteristics of a particular structure, the choice of steel can vary.
The properties that vary most between steel types are strength, ductility, hardness, aesthetics and cost. Depending on your scope of work, choosing the right grade of steel for the job can improve project quality and costs.
Stainless steel:
It is defined as a steel alloy with a chromium content of at least 11.5% by weight. Stainless steel does not stain, corrode or rust as easily as regular steel (it "stains less"), but it is not stain resistant. It is also called corrosion resistant steel when the alloy type and quality are not detailed, especially in the aerospace industry. Various grades and surface finishes of stainless steel are available to suit the environment the material will be exposed to during its lifespan. Common applications of stainless steel are cutlery and watch straps.
Stainless steel differs from carbon steel by the amount of chromium present. Carbon steel rusts when exposed to air and moisture. This iron oxide film is active and accelerates corrosion by forming more iron oxide. In stainless steel, enough chromium is present to form a passive film of chromium oxide that prevents further corrosion.
Soft steel:
Carbon steel is sometimes called 'mild steel' or 'plain carbon steel'. The American Iron and Steel Institute defines carbon steel as having no more than 2% carbon and no other major alloying elements. Carbon steel makes up the majority of steel production and is used in a wide range of applications.
Carbon steel is generally stiff and strong. They also exhibit ferromagnetism (i.e. they are magnetic). This means that they are widely used in engines and electrical appliances. Welding carbon steel with a carbon content of more than 0.3% requires special precautions. However, welding carbon steel presents far fewer problems than welding stainless steel. The corrosion resistance of carbon steels is poor (i.e. they rust) and therefore they should not be used in a corrosive environment unless some form of protective coating is used.
What is the difference between steel and mild steel?
Steel is less malleable and harder than mild steel.
Mild steel is less brittle than steel.
Steel is more resistant to corrosion.
Mild steel can be further strengthened by the addition of carbon.
The basic difference is that stainless steel contains very little carbon and is alloyed with chromium, nickel, molybdenum and other elements to improve its mechanical and chemical properties.
So why and where do we use mild steel?
If you can't see the steel surface, that is, the final piece needs to be painted or coated.
If a piece requires a large amount of metal where stainless steel is not cost effective.
If you need steel for structural components that are located within the piece and are not visible or affect the overall visual concept.
When you bend or weld the metal.
In general, aluminum is also a good lightweight option if weight loss is not a concern. For larger projects that require strength, steel is a much stronger option.Perlite steelis a leading manufacturer and exporter of stainless steel pipes from India, supplying high quality stainless steel pipes and tubes across the world. Please contact us for more information.
