GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC

RATNAGIRI.

A Project on
Mechanical Engineering Material

Types of steel

Submitted to :- MR.S.B.WAGHMODE

Submitted by :- Kamble Ved Sunil

Department of Mechanical Engineering

GOVERNMENT POLYTECNIC RATNAGIRI
2021-2022
Introduction
The main purpose of this project is to understand the steel and its type. How is steel made
why we used steel. Which types of steel we used in industry.
There are multiple types of steel and its alloy that each have unique properties. Making them
each suited to specific production goals. Some steel are sturdy and heavy while other steel are
ductile and versatile
This project contains the types of steel and its uses. We see steel in day-to-day life but we
don’t know what type it is for that I make this project to understand various types of steel
easily.

Steel
Steel is an alloy made up of iron with typically a few tenths of a percent of carbon to improve
its strength and fracture resistance compared to other forms of iron. Many other elements
may be present or added. Stainless steels that are corrosion- and oxidation-resistant need
typically an additional 11% chromium. Because of its high tensile strength and low cost,
steel is used in buildings, infrastructure, tools, ships, trains, cars, machines, electrical
appliances, and weapons. Iron is the base metal of steel. Depending on the temperature, it can
take two crystalline forms (allotropic forms): body centred cubic and face centred cubic. The
interaction of the allotropes of iron with the alloying elements, primarily carbon, gives steel
and cast iron their range of unique properties.

In pure iron, the crystal structure has relatively little resistance to the iron atoms slipping past
one another, and so pure iron is quite ductile, or soft and easily formed. In steel, small
amounts of carbon, other elements, and inclusions within the iron act as hardening agents that
prevent the movement of dislocations.

The carbon in typical steel alloys may contribute up to 2.14% of its weight. Varying the
amount of carbon and many other alloying elements, as well as controlling their chemical and
physical makeup in the final steel (either as solute elements, or as precipitated phases), slows
the movement of those dislocations that make pure iron ductile, and thus controls and
enhances its qualities. These qualities include the hardness, quenching behaviour, need for
annealing, tempering behaviour, yield strength, and tensile strength of the resulting steel. The
increase in steel's strength compared to pure iron is possible only by reducing iron's ductility.

Steel was produced in bloomery furnaces for thousands of years, but its large-scale, industrial
use began only after more efficient production methods were devised in the 17th century,
with the introduction of the blast furnace and production of crucible steel. This was followed
by the open-hearth furnace and then the Bessemer process in England in the mid-19th
century. With the invention of the Bessemer process, a new era of mass-produced steel
began. Mild steel replaced wrought iron. The German states saw major steel prowess over
Europe in the 19th century.

In steel, carbon is present completely in the combined form. Higher the percentage of this
carbon, harder and tougher is the steel.
Carbon content cannot be increased in the metal in chemically combined form beyond 1.5 %.
If this proportion is increased beyond this limit, it moves the metal into the category of cast
iron.

Thus, steel can be said to be an alloy of iron and carbon with the carbon content to a
maximum of 1.5 %. These steels are called plain carbon steels, because they owe their
properties mainly to the percentage of carbon present in them. The steels are classified by
various methods and each method is based on a definite criteria. The various criterions for the
classification are as follows:

(i) On the basis of carbon

Low carbon steels, Medium carbon steels, High carbon steel.

(ii) On the basis of amount of alloying elements and carbon

Low alloy steels, High alloy steels.

(iii) On the basis of deoxidation

Rimmed steel, Killed steel, Semi-killed steel

(iv) On the basis of grain coarsening characteristics

Coarse grained steel, Fine grained steel

(v) On the basis of method of manufacture

Basic open hearth, Electric furnace, Basic oxygen process, Acid open hearth, Acid
bessema.

(vi) On the depth of hardening

Non-hardenable steels, Shallow hardening steels, Deep hardening steels

(vii) On the basis of form and use

Boiler steels, Corrosion and heat resistant steels, Deep hardening steels, Deep chawing
steels, Electrical steels, Free cutting steels, Structural steels, Machinery steels, Tool steels,
Spacing steels
1.PLAIN CARBON STEEL

Plain carbon steels are classified into three groups based on the carbon content.

(A) Low Carbon Steels or Mild Steels (0.008 0.30 % C)

(B) Medium Carbon Steels (0.30-0.60 % C)

(C) High Carbon Steels (0.60-2.00 % C)

A. Low carbon steel

Steels with 0.01 % to 0.3 % carbon are mild steels. Steels with 0.15-0.30 %
carbon are widely used as structural steels. When amount of carbon varies
from 0.05% - 0.15% then it is known as Dead Mild Steel.
Properties
This steel is soft, ductile and malleable., Good forming properties., It can be
easily forged and welded., Mild steel can be magnetized permanently., It
cannot be easily hardened and tempered., It has bright fibrous structure., It is
tougher and more elastic than wrought iron. ,Its melting point is
1400°C.Ultimate compressive strength varies from 8 ton/cm² to 12
ton/cm².Tensile strength is better than cast iron and wrought iron, while
compressive strength is better than wrought iron but less than cast iron.
They are good for cold working purposes such as rolling into thin sheets
required for galvanizing, tinning or press work.
Disadvantages
Unresponsive to hardening heat treatment because martensite is difficult to
form owing to very low carbon content. Strengthening can be accomplished
only by cold working, very low hardenability
Applications:
Steel having carbon percentage less than 0.1% is used for wires and oil pans,
steel having carbon from 0.1% to 0.15% is used for boiler plate and seamless
boiler tubes.

Steel having carbon from 0.15% to 0.25% is used for crank axle, steel having
carbon from 0.25% to 0.3% is used for gears, valves, railway axle and
connecting rods,

B. Medium Carbon Steel

The amount of carbon varies from 0.30% to 0.70%.
Properties
These have intermediate properties to those of low carbon and high carbon steel.
They are medium hard, not so ductile and malleable. They medium tough, slightly
difficult to machine, weld and harden stronger than mild steel. It has greater
tensile strength and more hardness than mild steel. This is easily workable and can
be easily rolled and forged. They are also called as machinery steels.

Applications
Steel having carbon from 0.35 to 0.45% is used for rails, springs, brake levers,
steel having carbon from 0.45 to 0.55% is used for rifle barrels, gun parts and gear
wheels.

Medium carbon steel is used for forging like turbine, bucket, pinions, shaft
coupling, nut and bolt etc.

C. High Carbon Steel

This is the steel in which carbon percentage varies from 0.70% to 1.5%. These steel
can be heat treated to improve the properties.

Properties
They are hard, wear resistant, brittle, difficult to machine. High carbon steel can be
easily hardened and tempered. This can be magnetized permanently. High carbon
steel cannot readily forged and welded. It has less impact resistance. They are also
called as tool steels,

Applications
It is used for wood working tools, metal cutting tools, punches, dies, small drills,
reamers etc. High carbon steel having carbon composition from 0.55% to 0.65% is
used for die block, gears and wheel tyres.

Steel having 0.65% to 0.75% carbon is used for hammers, crusher rollers, general tool
and thrust washers 0.75% to 0.85% carbon steel is used for chisels and clutch disks,
0.85% to 1% carbon steel is used for drills. taps, springs, keys, leaf and coil spring.
1.0% to 1.6% carbon steel is used for razor, tools, dies and knives.
2.ALLOY STEELS

Steel is considered to be alloy steel when the maximum range given for the content of
alloying elements exceeds one or more of the following limits:
Mn 1.65 % | Cu 0.60 % | 51 0.60%

Alloy steels may be defined as 'steels to which elements other than carbon are added in
sufficient amount to get improvement in properties. Commenly added elements are AL, B, Cr
upto 3.99%, Co. Mo, Ni, Ti, W.V. Mn, Cu. Each of these elements confers certain qualities
upon the steels to which it is added.

Alloying elements alter the properties of steel and put it into a slightly different class from
ordinary carbon steel.

• Alloying elements are added to accomplish one or more of the following:

i. To impact fine grain size to steel
ii. To strengthen the ferrite
iii. To improve case hardening properties.
iv. To improve elasticity.
v. To improve corrosion and fatigue résistance.
vi. To harden, toughness and tensile strength.
vii. To improve machinability and weldability.
viii. To improve high or low temperature stability.
ix. To import better wear resistance.
x. To improve cutting ability.

Advantages of alloy

It has greater hardenability. It has less distortion and cracking Greater stress release at given
hardness. Less grain growth. Higher elastic ratio and endurance strength. Greater strength at
high temperature also. Better machinability at high hardness

Disadvantages of alloy

Cost is comparatively high. It requires special handling It’s tendency is towards austenite
retention. It tempers brittleness for certain grades

Effects of Alloying Elements on Properties of Steel

1. Carbon : hardness, tensile strength, machinability, melting point
2. Nickel: It increases toughness and resistance to impact .Lessens distortion in
quenching. Lowers critical temperature of steel and widens the range of heat
treatment.
3. Chromium: It joins with carbon to form chromium carbide It adds to depth
hardenability. It improves resistance to abrasion and wear.
4. Silicon: It improves oxidation resistance. It strengthens low alloy steels It acts as a
deoxidizer.
5. Titanium: It prevents localized depletion of chromium in stainless steel during long
heating. It prevents formation of austenite in high chromium steel. It reduces
martensitic hardness.
 6. Molybdenum: It promotes hardenability of steel. It enhances corrosion resistance in
stainless steel. It forms abrasion resistance particles. It makes steel fine grained
7. Vanadium: It promotes fine grains in steel. It gives strength and toughness to heat
treated steel. It increases hardenability. It is a very good carbide former. It stabilizes
cementite and improves the structure of chill.
8. Tungsten: It increases hardness. It improves heat resistance. It promotes strength at
elevated temperature. .
9. Manganese: It increases strength and hardness It lowers ductility and weldability.
10. Copper: It increases resistance to atmospheric corrosion. It acts as a strengthening
agent. .
11. Aluminium: It acts as a deoxidizer It produces fine austenite grain size.
12. Cobalt: It improves much properties. It refines the graphite and pearlite. It improves
heat resistance. It retends transformation of austenite.
13. Phosphours: Addition of phosphours in large amount increases brittleness and cold
shortness of steel. Phosphours alos increase machinability of steel.

3.STAINLESS STEEL
When 11.5% or more chromium is added to iron, chromium oxide film forms on surfaces
exposed to air, which acts as a barrier to oxidation. Such steels are Stainless Steel.

As the name suggests, it is STAIN less. They are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation
in environment and media.
The corrosion resistance of stainless is derived from the presence of hydrous oxide film on
the surface of alloy. This oxide film is very thin and stable. It is continuous and impervious to
further attack The film is passive and stops further reaction between the metal surface and the
surrounding medium. The most important constituent of this film is chromium oxide Cr2O3
which is obtained from the presence of chromium in the alloy.

So, chromium is the most important element of iron-base stainless steels. Other elements
(such as nickel molybdenum, manganese etc) are added to enhance the properties and
improve the corrosion resistance.

1. Chromium: It gives passivity to ferrous alloys by formation of oxide film, when present
more than 12 %. If oxide film is damaged, it is immediately repaired or reformed in oxidizing
media Corrosion resistance of stainless steels increase with increase in the chromium content
beyond minimum required quantity for passivity.

2. Nickel: Addition of nickel to iron-chromium alloys improves ductility and impact strength
by stabilizing austenite phase, Corrosion resistance of stainless steels increase with increase
in the nickel content against neutral chloride solutions and weakly oxidizing acids Up to 20
% nickel may be added to stainless steels.

3. Molybdenum: Addition of molybdenum to stainless steels improves their resistance to

different acids like sulphuric acid and organic acid. It also increase resistance to corrosion
and to halogen salts. It also gives resistance to pitting in sea water.

4. Manganese: About 1 to 2 % manganese is added to all stainless steels. Manganese gives

good results for hot workability, without reducing resistance to corrosion
5. Nitrogen: It is present from 0.03 to 0.2 % This increases inter-granular corrosion
resistance Carbon is present up to 0.2 %. In addition to this, small amounts of titanium
niobium or columbium may be added to stabilize carbon in austenite stainless steels
Stainless steels contain chromium together with other elements such as nickel.

Stainless steel have the following properties:

1. Wide range of strength and hardness
2. High ductility and formability.
3. High corrosion resistance.
4. Good creep resistance
5. Good thermal resistance.
6. Good thermal conductivity
7. High resistance to scaling and oxidation at elevated temperature.
8. Easy weldability
9. Good machinability
10. High cold and hot workability
11. Excellent surface appearance and finish.

Classification of Stainless Steel

Types of Stainless Steel:

1. Austenitic Stainless Steel:

 They possess austenitic structure at room temperature.

 They have greatest strength and scale resistance at high temperature.
 They are non-magnetic
 They have the following composition:

C-0.03 to 0.25%
Cr = 16 to 25%
Si=1 to 2%
Mn=2 to 10%
Ni 3.5 to 22%, P. S.

Application
 They are used in aircraft engine parts, heat exchangers in chemical industry, tanks of
food processing cooking utensils, milk cans of dairy industry, railway carts of
transportation.

2. Ferritic Stainless Steel:

 They possess ferritic structure at room temperature.

 They are more corrosion resistant than martensitic stainless steel
 They are magnetic
 They have the following composition:

C = 0.08 to 0.2%
Cr = 11 to 27%
Si=1%
Mn = 1 to 1.5%

Application
 Due to low carbon to chromium ratio, it prevents hardening by heat treatment. They
are used in lining for petrol industry, heating elements or furnaces, screws and
fittings, oil burner parts.

3.Martensitic Stainless Steel:

 Martensitic stainless steel is suitable material for surgical instruments. Martensitic

stainless steel has high hardness, high wear resistance and corrosion resistance, which
are the properties required for surgical instruments
 The composition of this steel is C= 0.15 to 1.2%, Cr=12 to 18% S = 1% and M = 1%.
 . In this, Cr in solid solution form is less than 13% . This steel shows austenite at high
temperature and can be hardened by hardening process to form martensite in it
 At room temperature the structure shows needle of martesnite along with chromium
carbide particles.
 They possess martensitic structure at room temperature.

 They have the best thermal conductivity of all stainless steel types.
 They are magnetic.
 Due to high carbon to chromium ratio, hardening by heat treatment can be done.

 They have the following composition:

C = 0.15 to 1.2%,
Cr= 11.5 to 18%,
S = 1%,
Mn = 1%.

Application
They are used in pumps and valve parts, turbine buckets, surgical instruments, rules and
tapes.

4. TOOL STEELS

Tool steel refers to a variety of carbon steel and alloy steel that are particularly well-suited to

be made into tools. Their suitability comes from their distinctive hardness, resistance
to abrasion and deformation, and their ability to hold a cutting edge at elevated temperatures. 
When carbon steel does not provide sufficient tool life, alloy steels are used.

They are of two types:

(1) Low alloy steels retaining high hardness up to 250°C
(2) Medium and high alloy steels which can retain high hardness up to 600°C

They acquire high cutting properties only after suitable heat treatment. The well known
example is high speed tool steel. Normally, a large amount of heat is produced due to friction
between the tool and the work piece. Only high speed tool steel can withstand this heat
without losing hardness.

Tungsten provides toughness, wear resistance and cutting ability. Chromium serves to
increase the hardenability. Vanadium is for grain refinement. Cobalt is added to impart
additional red hardness.

Tool steels are used specially for working, shaping and cutting of metals. Large number of
steels are available for this purpose. They are classified as below:

1. Cool work tool steels,

2 Hot work tool steels,

The above names indicate some of special properties of these steels. It is desired that all the
tool steels should be hard, tough and wear resistant. The exact requirement will depend upon
the service conditions required. The tool steels should be machinable and grindable. Also
during heat treatment, the tendency for decarburization, oxidation and grain growth should be
minimum.

Tool and die steels are defined as 'special steels which have been developed to form, cut or
otherwise change the shape of a material into a finished or semi-finished product.

Properties of Tool steel

 Slight change of form during hardening.
 Little risk of cracking during hardening.
 Good toughness.
 Good wear resistance..
 Very good machinability
 Resistance to softening on heating.
 Resistance to decarburization

(A) Cold Work Tool Steels

 These steels are used for cold working of metals.

 They have good loudness and wear resistance at low temperatures
 Some steels from this group, contain very little or no alloying elements and hence are
less expensive.
 Based on their hardening characteristics, they are classified into sub-groups such as
water hardening steel (W-series), oil hardening steel (O-series), air hardening steel (A
- series) and high carbon high chromium (D-series)
 These steels are particularly used for master tools gauges and dies which must not
change size after heat treatment

(B) Hot work Tool steel

 They have good strength, toughness, hardness and wear resistance at elevated
temperature.
 They have excellent resistance to tempering softening at elevated temperature.
  They are of low to high alloy content with relatively less carbon (0.35 to 0.65%).
 They are classified into three types depending upon the principal alloying element.
 These are chromium type, tungsten type and molybdenum type hot work tool steels.
 Hot work tool steels are designated by H-series.
 These steels are mainly used for hot working of metals such as stamping, drawing,
forming, piercing. extruding, upsetting and swaging.
 Chromium type steel contain 3 to 7% Cr with small amount of one or more of the
elements such as W. Mo and V and carbon content between 0.35 to 0.55%.

o They have high ductility, toughness and resistance to splitting.

o They are used for aluminium and magnesium die casting dies, extrusion dies,
forging dies, mandrels and hot sheers.

 Tungsten type steel contain 9 to 18 % W and 2 to 12% Cr. With carbon content
between 0.3 to 0.5%.

o They have excellent red hardness and resistance to wear at elevated

temperature.
o They are used for dummy blocks, hot extrusion dies for brass, nickel and steel,
forging dies and hot punches.

 Molybdenum tool steel contains 14 to 20% alloying elements such as Mo, Cr, V and
W and slightly higher carbon (0.55 to 0.65%) as compared to other two types.

o These are intermediate in properties and used where compromise in resistance

to high temperature and toughness is required.

5.SPRING STEEL

Spring steel is an alloy that can withstand intense twisting and bending without becoming distorted. It
is resilient and pliable, yet durable, which is perfect for a general use steel. Products made with this
alloy can be bent, extended, compressed, or twisted, yet they will return to their original shape.

Different types of Spring Steels are given below:

(1) C-0.45 to 0,65%

 Si-0.1 to 0.35%.
 Mn-0.5 to 1.0%

 These steels are quenched and tempered to give a brineel hardness of about 350
 They are widely used for laminated springs for railways and general purposes.

(2) Hyper Eutectoid Spring Steels:

 C-0.9 to 1.2%
 Si-0,30% maximum
 Mn-0.45 to 0.70%

 These steels are oil quenched and tempered at a low temperature.

  They are used for volute helical springs.

(3) Silicon-manganese Spring Steels:

 C-0.33 to 0.6%
 Si-1.5 to 2%
 Mn-0.6 to 1.0%

 These steels are hardened and tempered to give a brinell hardness of about 450.
 They are used for the manufacturing of railways and road springs generally

Properties of Spring Steel: It should have:

i. High impact strength, hardness and toughness.

ii. High yield strength
iii. Higher fatigue and creep strength.
iv. High modulus of elasticity.
v. High tensile strength.
vi. Higher load per unit deflection i.e. resilience

REFERENCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_steel

https://www.weerg.com/en/global/blog/what-are-the-four-types-of-steel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool_steel#:~:text=Tool%20steel%20refers%20to%20a,cutting
%20edge%20at%20elevated%20temperatures.

https://www.thefabricator.com/thefabricator/article/metalsmaterials/just-plain-carbon-steel---
what-is-itr#:~:text=The%20term%20plain%20carbon%20steel,often%20in%20noncritical
%20structural%20fabrications.