The Difference Between Stainless Steel And Carbon Steel

Stainless steel and carbon steel are both relatively common metal materials, but there are differences between the two.

Iron and carbon are the components of steel, and the carbon content is usually between 0.2% and 1.2% by weight. The carbon content of steel is not constant, however, and depends on the type and grade of steel in question. A particular type of steel is specifically called carbon steel due to its high carbon content. The properties of carbon steels vary according to the percentage of carbon they contain. Depending on the carbon content, we can classify carbon steels into three categories: medium carbon steels, high carbon steels, and ultra-high carbon steels.

Stainless steel is based on chromium and nickel elements, so the appearance of the product is mostly bright silver with, a smooth, and glossy surface.

Carbon steel metal to carbon, and iron elements, so the product's appearance is mostly black, its surface is duller, but also less than the stainless steel surface smooth and lustrous.

Stainless steel metal contains more chromium, chromium, and oxygen reaction will form a chromium oxide layer on the surface of stainless steel metal to prevent the metal from being corroded.

The surface of carbon steel can not form a chromium oxide layer, corrosion resistance is relatively poor.

So the corrosion resistance of stainless steel is better than carbon steel.

The hardness of carbon steel is higher than stainless steel, its plasticity is lower, and will be more wear-resistant.

So the wear resistance of carbon steel is better than stainless steel.

Carbon steel has a high iron content.

Stainless steel usually contains nickel elements that will inhibit or remove the magnetism, so stainless steel is mostly a non-magnetic or weakly magnetic product.

So the magnetic properties of carbon steel are stronger than those of stainless steel.

Ductility depends on the content of nickel elements, the higher the content of nickel elements, the stronger the ductility.

Stainless steel has a high elemental nickel content, while carbon steel contains very little elemental nickel, which is negligible.

So the ductility of stainless steel is better than carbon steel.

Stainless steel in the production process will be added to a large number of alloys, it's a high cost.

Carbon steel in the production process to join the alloy less, the cost will be relatively lower.

So the price of stainless steel is more expensive than carbon steel.

Common characteristics of carbon steel include its high strength and hardness. This is the reason why carbon steel is often used in many different buildings. The harder the material, the stronger it is and the more suitable it is for construction purposes. However, carbon steel is not without its drawbacks. It is very unsuitable for applications that require a certain degree of flexibility in the material.

What makes stainless steel unique is its impeccable resistance to corrosion, or in other words, its ability not to corrode or rust under normal conditions (stainless steel will corrode under extreme conditions). When corrosion resistance needs to be considered, stainless steel is preferred over carbon steel. For example, when choosing materials for cars, machinery, or even surgical tools, stainless steel is the better choice.

As you can see, stainless steel and carbon steel, the metals we commonly use, both have their strengths and weaknesses. The key to utilizing both is to balance the advantages and disadvantages and apply them to the right applications.