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Steels are materials that we use frequently in daily life, are the basis of our structure and are used in many industrial activities. Therefore, the classification of steels is quite important. In this blog content, we will give detailed information about the classification of steels. If you want, let's get started right away.
Steels are an alloy formed by the combination of carbon with iron. In this alloy, the carbon ratio varies between 0.02% and 2.1%. Steels with different carbon ratios have different mechanical and physical properties. Therefore, the classification of steels is quite important. Steels are used in many industrial activities, as well as being the basis of our structure. Automotive, structural steels, bridges, rails, tubes, pipes, utensils and tools, all made of steel. The classification of steels ensures that the right material is selected for the right process. Now, let's learn more about the classification of steels.
Structural Steels
Structural steels are steels that are widely used in the construction industry. The classification of these steels is made according to the chemical composition of the alloy used. Structural steels have two main classes:
Low Alloy Structural Steels: These steels are used for structural purposes due to their strength and durability properties. Low-alloy steelscan come in different shapes, such as pipe, profile and plate. ASTM A572 and ASTM A36 are exemplary standards for low-alloy structural steels.
High Strength Structural Steels: These steels have higher strength and durability properties. These steels are especially used for large structures such as bridges and buildings for structural purposes. Examples of high-strength structural steels include ASTM A514, ASTM A572, and ASTM A709.
Mechanical Steels
Mechanical steels are steels with high strength and hardness properties. These steels are mainly used in the automotive and machinery industries. The classification of mechanical steels is made according to their mechanical properties. These steels can have different mechanical properties, such as hardness, strength, and elasticity. Mechanical steels are generally classified according to ASTM A572, ASTM A36, ASTM A514 and ASTM A514M standards.
Stainless Steels
Stainless steels are steels formed by the combination of iron, chromium, nickel and other elements. Stainless steels can be low or high carbon. The most important feature of these steels is their resistance to corrosion. Stainless steels are widely used, especially in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical and marine industries. Stainless steels have different grades such as AISI 304 and AISI 316.
Hot Treated Steels
Hot-treated steels are high-temperature-formed steels. These steels are shaped by hot rolling or forging. Hot-treated steels may have higher strength and durability properties. These steels are mainly used in the construction and machinery industries. Hot-treated steels are classified according to different standards such as ASTM A36, ASTM A572 and ASTM A615.
Cold Treated Steels
Cold-treated steels are low-temperature-formed steels. These steels are shaped by cold rolling or cold drawing. Cold-treated steels may have higher hardness and fatigue strength properties. These steels are mainly used in the automotive and electronics industries. Cold-treated steels are classified according to different standards such as ASTM A108, ASTM A568 and ASTM A366.
Alloy Steels
Alloy steels are steels formed by the combination of iron and other elements. The characteristic of these steels is that they acquire different properties by combining other elements with steel. Alloy steels may have high strength, hardness, corrosion resistance and heat treatment properties. These steels are mainly used in the aerospace, defense, nuclear power and other industries. Examples of alloy steels include ASTM A514, ASTM A387, and ASTM A572.
Unalloyed Steels
Unalloyed steels are another important type of steel used in iron-steel production. Unalloyed steels are also known as low carbon or carbonless steels. These steels are mostly used for general purpose structural applications.
Unalloyed steels have low strength compared to other types of steel. However, due to their low carbon content, they have high weldability and can be shaped well. Unalloyed steels are also highly resistant to corrosion when protected by a durable coating.
These steels are widely used in many industries such as general purpose structural applications, pipelines, auto parts, machine parts and tools that do not require high strength. In addition, the price of unalloyed steels is lower than other types of steel, so they offer a cost-effective solution for many applications.
Titanium Steels
Titanium steels are steels formed by the combination of iron, carbon and titanium elements. The characteristic of these steels is that they are high strength and lightweight. Titanium steels are widely used, especially in the aerospace and defense industries. Examples of titanium steels include ASTM B265, ASTM F67, and ASTM F136.
Different Types and Classifications of Steel
Construction Steels
Construction steels are another important type of steel used for structural applications. These steels are widely used in the construction industry due to their strength, durability and corrosion resistance properties. Construction steels may be of various types such as high strength, low alloy steels or carbon steels. They are often used in steel constructions, bridges, roofs and other structural applications.
Spring Steels
Spring steels are another important type of steel used in automotive, aerospace and other industries. These steels are used in the production of springs due to their high strength and flexibility properties. Spring steels can be of different types, such as high-quality rolling steels or special steels.
Cementation Steels
Cementation steels are a type of steel used for applications that require gears, shaft bearings and other wear resistance due to their high hardness and surface durability properties. These steels are produced by adding a carbon layer to the surfaces of low carbon steels. The hardening process is carried out using temperature and chemical reactions and forms a carbon layer on the surface of the steel.
Breeding Steels
Tempered steels are another type of steel used in applications that require high strength and high performance. Tempered steels are produced by heat treating high-carbon or alloy steels with a special heat treatment. The reclamation process increases the strength and durability of the steel and makes the steel harder and more durable. Tempered steels are often used in the automotive industry, aerospace, shipbuilding and other high-strength applications.
Transmission Steels
It is used for transmission steels, transmission gears, differential gears, shaft gears, swings, transmission gear bearings and other similar parts. These steels are widely used in the automotive industry due to their high strength, hardness and fatigue resistance properties. The most common types of transmission steel include AISI 8620, AISI 9310, and AISI 4815.
Automat Steels
Vending steels are used in the production of precision parts. These steels can be machined by precision turning, milling, drilling and other similar processes. Vending steels are used in the production of bolts and nuts, shaft bearings, screws and other precision parts due to their high hardness, wear resistance and low ductility properties. Sample vending steels include AISI 12L14, AISI 1215 and AISI 1144.
Bearing Steels
Bearing steels are classified as high-quality rolling steels. These steels are used in the production of precision mechanical parts. Bearing steels are used in the production of bearings, gears, swings, hammers, drills and other similar parts due to their high hardness, high wear resistance, high strength and high ductility properties. Sample bearing steels include AISI 52100, AISI 8620 and AISI 4140.
Tool Steels
Tool steels are classified as high-speed steels. These steels are used in the production of cutting tools and other tools operating at high temperatures and high cutting speeds. Tool steels are used in the manufacture of moulds, cutters, milling cutters, drills and other similar tools due to their high hardness, high wear resistance and high temperature resistance properties, which can be hardened at high temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions?
The classification of steels is important due to the different properties and uses of different types of steel. In order to choose the right steel, it is important to classify the steel according to its properties and to understand the standards.
The mechanical properties of steels are affected by factors such as the chemical composition of the steel, heat treatment, casting or rolling method.
Steels are widely used in many industries such as automotive, construction, energy, electronics, defense, aerospace industries.
Different standards are used for the classification of steels. For iron-carbon steels, standards such as ASTM A36 and ASTM A572 are used. For alloy steels, standards such as ASTM A514, ASTM A387 are used. For titanium steels, standards such as ASTM B265 and ASTM F67 are used.
Types of high-hardness steels include those with high abrasion resistance, especially used for tool axles, drill bits, cutting tools, and mold making.
