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Investment Casting
Investment Casting – Everything you need to know
2022-08-16

Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel

  • Steel is the most common metal alloy used in our daily lives. It is also the most important material for engineering and construction. It is used in cars, buildings, refrigerators, ships, scalpels and washing machines. The main reason for its widespread use is that steel can take measures to protect itself from rusting. 
  • Steel is one type of metal, and there are many more. Different steels have different properties, depending on the nature of the materials used in them. The most common categories of steel are carbon steel and stainless steels.
  • They have the same elemental composition and properties as any other metal alloy. The fundamental difference between them is the proportion of chromium. Carbon steels contain less than 10.5% chromium, while stainless steels must have at least 10.5% chromium. However, many other factors help us to distinguish between carbon steel and stainless steel.
  • The purpose of this blog post is to review the comparison between carbon steel and stainless steel. This discussion will clear your mind on the question “Is carbon steel better than stainless steel?” This discussion will clear your mind of the question “Is carbon steel better than stainless steel? If you are also confused about the properties of these metals, you can read on to clear your mind.

Detailed Comparison of Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel

People always try to compare carbon steel with stainless steel! But this is not the case, because they each have their own characteristics and properties.

Properties of Carbon Steel

One of the world’s most widely used commercial metals, steel, is carbon. This steel is an alloy of iron and carbon and has a higher carbon content than other varieties, making it stronger and more suitable for applications where strength is required. Carbon content is used to classify and evaluate carbon steels. Each type is classified into one of the following groups based on its total carbon percentage.

  1. Low carbon steels of 25% (e.g., AISI 304)
  2. Medium carbon steels with 25 % to 0.60 % carbon (e.g., AISI 409)
  3. Steels with a high carbon content of 0.60% to 1.25% (e.g., AISI 440C)

These classifications help to break down the physical properties of steel and help steel manufacturers to determine the best use and application for each type.

carbon steel and stainless steel (2)

The Four Characteristics of Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, like carbon steel, is a metal alloy that is used extensively throughout the world.

  1. Corrosion resistance is the main advantage of stainless steel.
  2. Made from chromium and iron, stainless steel is used in the manufacture of a variety of items including food and pharmaceutical containers, surgical instruments, electrical wiring, sinks, patio furniture, water pipes and cable bridges.
  3. The amount of chromium added to the iron varies between 10% and 35%, depending on the grade of stainless steel being manufactured.
  4. Chromium oxide protects stainless steel by forming a protective coating against rust and corrosion.

Stainless steel can also be enhanced with nickel, titanium and other metals to add specific properties. There are hundreds of different stainless-steel alloys to choose from.

Classification of Steel Alloys

These alloys can be divided into three groups.

  1. Austenitic stainless steels.
  2. Ferritic stainless steels.
  3. Martensitic stainless steels.

How to Distinguish Between Carbon Steel​ and Stainless Steel

  • If you want to distinguish between carbon steel and stainless steel, the following tips are only for you. If you understand these techniques, you can quickly determine carbon steel from stainless steel.
  • Surface finish and how the two metals reflect light are the visual differences between carbon steel and stainless steel. For example, stainless steel is more polished and shinier than carbon steel. Carbon steel, on the other hand, has a darker, more matt appearance.
  • Another systematic way to distinguish between the two is to look for evidence of oxidation (red rust). Carbon steel has a high carbon content and tends to rust when exposed to moisture, whereas stainless steel does not.
    Place a drop or two of lemon juice on the steel frame and leave it for a while if you are in a hurry and can’t notice the difference. If the lemon juice leaves a black mark on the surface, it is probably carbon steel.
carbon steel and stainless steel

Carbon Steel​ and Stainless Steel Strength

When comparing carbon steel with stainless steel carbon steel, stainless steel has better yield and tensile strengths. However, if we know which type of carbon or stainless steel to use, high, medium or low, we will be able to get an accurate answer.

The mechanical parameters for looking at steel forces are:

  • Carbon steels
  1. Low steel has a tensile strength of 60,000 to 80,000 pounds per square inch.
  2. Medium steels have a tensile strength of 100,000 to 120,000 pounds per square inch.
  3. Alloy steels have tensile strengths in excess of 150,000 psi.
  • Stainless steels
  1. Austenitic stainless steels have a tensile strength of 72,000 to 115,000 pounds per square inch.
  2. Martensitic stainless steels have a tensile strength of 72,000 to 160,000 pounds per square inch.
  3. Ferritic stainless steels – tensile strengths range from 65,000 to 87,000 psi

Carbon Steel Versus Stainless Steel Knives

  • We have chosen the right carbon steel and stainless steel knife for our work. If you know your requirements, you don’t have to argue about stainless steel or carbon steel knives.
  • Home cooks often use stainless steel knives. Professionals often use high-carbon steel.
  • Why? Stainless steel knives are easier to store and more readily available. Cutting edges are usually made of martensitic stainless steel. These stainless steels are more difficult to work with than other grades. They are not as brittle as the tougher high-carbon steels, so they can be put in the dishwasher or banged against marble.
  • This is often sufficient for home cooks who do not work with precision knives. In this case, rust protection helps to keep the blades sharp. Wear on the cutting edge and iron oxide can both dull the knife.
  • When it comes to high-carbon steel versus stainless steel knives, professional chefs prefer high-carbon steel. The blades are more durable than stainless steel and can be sharpened to the razor’s edge. Even after extensive use, high carbon grades retain a sharper edge.

Carbon​ Steel and Stainless Steel Prices

  • The difference in price between carbon steel and stainless steel is another important factor to consider. Stainless steel is usually more expensive than carbon steel, although the price varies by grade. This is mainly due to alloying elements such as chromium, nickel, manganese and other stainless steels.
  • All these additional features add up to a higher cost than carbon steel. Carbon steel, on the other hand, consists mainly of cheap iron and carbon components. Therefore, if your budget is low, you can choose carbon steel by comparing it with stainless steel.
carbon steel and stainless steel

Conclusion

  • We hope you now know which steel is better suited to carbon steel or stainless steel. If you know your requirements, you will never have to go through the carbon steel versus stainless steel debate. When it comes to strength work, for example, you would use carbon steel. If you are a home chef, you can use stainless steel as a non-rusting and less sharp.
  • Or, if you are a professional chef, you would choose carbon steel. For those who don’t know the properties of metals, carbon steel is a common confusion with stainless steel. However, we hope that this article has been helpful to you. You may now be aware of the significant differences between carbon steel and stainless steel.

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