Alloy steel and high carbon steel are both steels, but their compositions and properties can be said to be very different. High carbon steel refers to steel with carbon content ranging from 0.60% to 1.70%, while alloy steel refers to the addition of other alloying elements in addition to iron and carbon. Due to the different ingredients, the hardness, melting point and boiling point of the two are also very different, and the uses are also very different. Many people know about alloy steel and high carbon steel, but they don't know the advantages and disadvantages of the two and the principles of their use. This article will introduce the advantages, disadvantages and selection principles of alloy steel and carbon steel.
Comparison of advantages and disadvantages of alloy steel and high carbon steel
1. Poor hardenability of high carbon steel
After the carbon steel is quenched by water, its critical quenching diameter is 15~20mm. For parts with a diameter greater than 20mm, it is impossible to quench through water even if it is quenched by water, and it cannot guarantee the consistent comprehensive mechanical properties of the entire section. Therefore, carbon steel is definitely not suitable for large parts with high requirements. Alloy steel has high hardenability and can be used to manufacture parts with large sections and complex shapes.
2. High carbon steel has low high temperature strength and poor red hardness
When carbon carbon steel is used at temperatures above 200 °C, its strength and hardness will decrease rapidly. The alloy steel has good stability after tempering. Good red hardness, can work at higher temperature.
3. High carbon steel cannot obtain good comprehensive properties
For example, when quenching and tempering is used to try to obtain good comprehensive properties, if high strength is to be guaranteed, the toughness is low, and if better toughness is to be guaranteed, the strength is low. This is due to the poor tempering stability of carbon steel. Therefore, the comprehensive performance obtained by carbon steel is far worse than that of alloy steel, that is, alloy steel has good strength and toughness.
4. High carbon steel does not have special properties
For example, high temperature hardness or tension, oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, special electrical and magnetic properties, etc. cannot be obtained with carbon steel, and only alloy steel can be used to meet the above requirements. Carbon steel also has some advantages, such as by changing its carbon content and appropriate heat treatment, many properties required in industrial production can be obtained. Due to its low price, easy production and good processing performance, carbon steel is still the most widely used steel material in the industry, accounting for more than 80% of the total steel consumption.