Carbon steel is an alloy of steel where carbon is the fundamental constituent and no base level of other alloying components is specified. This reinforces steel's rigidity by further impeding molecular movement when the metal is subjected to stresses. The debate of carbon steel vs stainless steel is a bit more complicated than originally thought, as carbon steel can refer to two different types of steel: traditional carbon steel and low-alloy steel. The carbon percentage can vary depending on the grade, and mostly it is between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight. Steel is an alloy of iron. The broader definition includes alloy steels, which can also contain up to 10.5 percent alloy content. High Alloy Steel: High Alloy Steel is basically an alloy of Iron which consists of Chromium of 10.5%. Once heat treated it becomes extremely hard and brittle. Carbon steels are steels in which the main alloying additive is carbon. Alloy Steel VS Carbon Steel “Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel”, Napoleon Hill. Even within the confines of under two percentage points of carbon, there is huge variance in physical characteristics—especially hardness. While the amount of chromium in carbon steel is usually negligible, stainless steel has 10-20% chromium, and may have 7-9% of nickel. Carbon steel is iron with carbon added, whereas alloy steel also includes other elements to modify the properties of the metal. This article is the first of a four-part series on the different types of steel. Carbon steel is composed of iron and 0.12 – 2.00 percent carbon. Carbon steels are classified based on the amount of carbon content in the steel. Alloy steel is considerably stronger than carbon steel. The carbon percentage can vary depending on the grade, and mostly it is between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight. High Carbon Steel: Commonly known as “carbon tool steel” it typically has a carbon range between 0.61% and 1.50%. Everything will have impurities. Alloy Steel vs Carbon Steel. An alloy is a blend consisting of metal and other elements. Carbon Steel (an alloy of steel and carbon) gets corroded but it is hard — the more carbon content, the harder the steel. Steel is made primarily by mixing iron with other metal or non-metal elements. Compared to low-carbon steel, stainless steel offers a massive upgrade in strength, hardness, and most importantly corrosion resistance. Steel is an alloy made out of iron and carbon. Generally also contain small amounts of silicon, manganese, sulfur, phosphorus and carbon steel, in addition to carbon use can be divided into carbon steel and carbon structural steel, carbon tool steel, and ease of cutting structural steel three categories. Main Difference – Alloy Steel vs Carbon Steel. Alloy steels are alloyed with other metals or materials, in addition to carbon, to improve properties. The addition of an alloy such as titanium or manganese strengthens this structure by adding different atomic sizes to the lattice. Carbon Steel VS Alloy Steel: Which Is better? High carbon steel is very difficult to cut, bend and weld. Steel industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Carbon steel isn't stainless steel as it is grouped into alloy steels. Most of us are aware of stainless steel as it is commonly used in the manufacturing of utensils. That’s not to say that carbon steel is pure carbon and iron. Here is an example of each. An alloy is a blend consisting of metal and other elements. But ask anybody the difference between alloy steel and carbon steel and the chances are that you will draw a blank. Steel is an alloy made out of iron and carbon. The main difference between carbon steel and stainless steel is the amount of chromium that is added to the alloy. The purpose of the production of steel is to obtain different properties by mixing iron with other elements. Alloy Steel - Alloy steel is a type of steel that has presence of certain other elements apart from iron and carbon. More than 85% of the steel produced and shipped in the United States is carbon steel. Another type of steel to introduce in this article is carbon steel. Steel itself is an exceptionally essential alloy that uses a blend of iron and carbon.