What Is High Carbon Steel?

The term high carbon steel may not sound familiar, but this metal is used in the everyday lives of most people. Whether in plain sight, like the squeeze tabs on a pant hanger or hidden behind your refrigerator door, you can see this material used everywhere. The high carbon content in this type of steel provides the strength and hardness to make it highly resistant to wear and tear while being moderately ductile, meaning it can be deformed a little before breaking.

Typically, high carbon steel has a carbon content between 0.61 and 1.5 percent, and is known for its extreme hardness and resistance to wear. Because of this, it is the preferred steel for cutting tools, such as axes and hammers, and wire and springs used in machinery applications. It is also widely used in automobiles, with the clamps that secure the fuel rail system as well as the small, metal clips that hold your car’s backup sensor in place and help the park assist function work.

While the properties of high carbon steel are very desirable, its higher brittleness limits it in any application that requires high tensile strength. Therefore, it is often alloyed with other elements to improve its strength and corrosion resistance. The most common additives include nickel, chromium, molybdenum and manganese. These additions will alter the structure of the steel to increase its strength and ductility, while also lowering its tensile and yield strength.

When it comes to welding, it is 1060 high carbon steel important to note that high carbon steel has a low ductility, so it requires extra care when compared with low or medium carbon steels. It is recommended that this steel be preheated to lower its temperature, and small stabilizing additions of titanium or niobium will prevent intercrystalline corrosion and weld cracking.

High carbon steels are highly useful in industrial applications due to their strength and hardness, making them the most popular type of tool steel. Adding tungsten or chromium to this steel will further enhance its wear resistance, and can provide for sharper edges on metal cutting tools. For example, 18/4/1 steel is an excellent tool steel with a combination of tungsten, chromium and vanadium in its alloy.

High carbon steel is a versatile, strong and durable material that has been used since the 3rd century. This metal is found in everything from toy wagons and cars to golf carts and lawn and garden equipment. It is even utilized in automotive applications, including the clamps that attach the fuel rail to the engine block and those that hold the backup sensor, as well as small clips and washers throughout your vehicle.