Steel is a strong and versatile alloy of carbon and iron that is one of the most crucial materials globally. The Canton Tower in Guangzhou and The Shard in London, UK are iconic structures that demonstrate the influence of CNC-machined steel and could elicit the carbon steel vs stainless steel debate.
There are thousands of grades of steel, which are further broadly categorized based on properties and composition for CNC machining and other processes. Two of the most recognized steel alloys are carbon steel and stainless steel.
Carbon steel has a high carbon content, which hardens and strengthens the material. Unfortunately, this also means high rust-proneness. Stainless steel contains higher chromium, which provides corrosion resistance.
When choosing between carbon steel vs stainless steel, those are the main characteristics to consider, but there is more to these incredible metals.
ProleanTech thrives in many things, selecting the ideal steel for CNC machining projects and machining the materials perfectly. Your CNC machining projects are in good hands with us.
Read on for comprehensive coverage of carbon steel vs stainless steel so you can confidently make your next custom request for CNC-machined parts.
Understanding Carbon Steel For Optimal Use
Carbon steel contains carbon as the main alloying element. Copper, manganese, silicon, and other alloying elements may be included but at lower proportions.
The carbon content shapes properties such as hardness and strength. An increase in carbon percentage makes the material stronger and harder.
Carbon steel round bars
Carbon steel is prone to corrosion with carbon as the main alloying element and other elements present at insignificant levels
The carbon steel cost is relatively low, so this material is readily available.
Categories Of Carbon Steel You Can Use
Types of carbon steel can be classified into low-carbon, medium-carbon, and high-carbon steel. Each has different properties, which matter when determining the application, cost, and general suitability for a project.
Let us know if you need help choosing a carbon steel grade for custom CNC machining services for your parts.
Below is a summary of the main properties.
| Carbon steel category | Properties | Common Grades |
| Low-carbon steel |
| A36, 1010, 1006, 33 |
| Medium-carbon steel |
| AISI 1045, AISI 4140, |
| High-carbon steel |
| AISI 1060, AISI 1065, AISI 1070, AISI 52100 |
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What Benefits Does Carbon Steel Offer?
Carbon steel provides several benefits in hardness, machinability, weldability, and heat-treatability.
Identifying the various practical advantages of the steel alloy can help identify different project elements. These include cost-effectiveness, maintenance requirements, and compliance with project demands.
The Strength Of Carbon Steel
The strength of this steel is dependent on carbon content, heat treatment process, and additional alloying contents like Si and Mn. Since carbon increases strength, high-carbon steel is the strongest in this category.
High-carbon steel is so strong and hard that it is widely used in tool-making for CNC machining. However, there are trade-offs in toughness and ductility.
You can read the Guide to CNC Machining for more on this important process.
Heat-Treatability Of The Material
Heat treatment can improve the properties of some types of carbon steel. Properties that may need improvement are strength, hardness, and wear resistance.
Carbon steel heat treatment
The Ease Of Welding Carbon Steel
This is another notable benefit of carbon steel. Even better, you can enhance this capability through stress relief, heat treatment, and other procedures that we can recommend. The low-carbon variety is the easiest to weld.
Note that medium- and high-carbon steels can crack during welding, so preheating, using advanced welding techniques, and controlled cooling may be necessary.
A carbon steel weld joint
The Carbon Steel Cost Is Low
This steel generally contains low-cost elements, translating to the relatively low-carbon steel cost. It is available to make even simple items like knives. Note that overall cost could be affected by heat treatment and machining tool wear.
A carbon steel knife
What Are the Disadvantages Of Carbon Steel?
Carbon steel has some disadvantages that you need to note. These characteristics can determine the performance of parts and general user satisfaction.
The Poor Corrosion Resistance Of The Metal
Corroded carbon steel pipes
Carbon steel is susceptible to corrosion and rust. The iron content is the reason for this drawback. This problem can be problematic in terms of leaks and damages. The repair requirements can be expensive.
Non-heat-treatability Of Low-carbon Steels
It is difficult to improve low-carbon steel through traditional heat treatment methods because of its low carbon content. Fortunately, options such as carburizing can help.
The Brittleness Problem
Carbon steel is also infamous for its brittleness, or poor fracture toughness. At warmer temperatures, this material is not that bad. As the temperature decreases, a point reaches where carbon steel becomes brittle with temperature.
Some Grades Are Weak At High Temperatures
Too-high temperatures are unfavourable for some carbon steel grades. The grades lose strength when the operating temperature exceeds certain thresholds. They undergo embrittlement. High temperatures can also accelerate corrosion. However, exceptions like the AISI 4130 perform well at elevated temperatures.
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Applications Of Carbon Steel: Which One Applies To You?
For its benefits highlighted earlier, carbon steel suits applications in many industries.
ProleanTech can manufacture your parts for different industries, including the automotive and general industries. We have immense experience in CNC machining parts such as shafts, axles, and gears.
Such diverse projects are ideal to showcase our extensive and versatile CNC machining technologies, for instance, the comparison of 3-Axis vs 5-Axis CNC: Key Differences.
You can always upload your projects files here and the team will discuss the best CNC-machined carbon steel parts.
Let’s now check some application areas.
| Carbon Steel Category | Common Applications |
| low-carbon steel |
|
| medium-carbon steel |
|
| high-carbon steel |
|
What Is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is a popular corrosion-resistant metal that contains at least 10.5% chromium (Cr). Chromium is a hard element that is often used to harden steel. Stainless steel is a general term encompassing many steel grades capable of withstanding corrosion.
Stainless steel round bars
Apart from corrosion resistance, other desirable characteristics of stainless steel include strength, durability, fabrication ease, and recyclability. These properties make the material popular in industrial, residential, and commercial applications.
Categories Of Stainless Steel To Consider
This metal can be graded or grouped based on the properties of stainless steel, uses, and compositions. Typically, every stainless steel has a series number and a numerical grade. Series 200, 400, and 600 are among the most popular while popular grades of stainless steel include 316 and 304.
At ProleanTech, no stainless steel grade or series is new to us. We have CNC machined or fabricated 100+ materials, each according to requirements with excellent results.
In most cases, this steel is categorized according to the crystal microstructure. The result is the following four categories as captured in the table.
| Stainless steel class | Common the properties of stainless steel |
| Ferritic stainless steels |
|
| Austenitic stainless steels |
|
| Martensitic stainless steels |
|
| Duplex stainless steels |
|
The Pros And Cons Of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a wonderful metal with many positive qualities. It can also present a few problems, especially if mishandled. Here are some pros and cons to consider.
Pro: The Visual Appeal Of The Metal
Stainless steel has a polished, sleek appearance that makes it suitable for architecture, kitchen appliances, and furniture, among other uses of stainless steel.
Pro: The Metal’s Corrosion Resistance
The alloy’s high chromium content plus elements like molybdenum and nickel contribute to exceptional corrosion resistance. This natural property makes the material a great choice for marine applications and other corrosive environments.
However, high chloride environments can cause pitting in some stainless steel grades.
Pro: A Very Versatile Material
Stainless steel’s versatility under different conditions makes it a preferred material in many industries. Its durability appeals to the automotive industry, biocompatibility suits the medical industry, and corrosion resistance is good for the marine industry.
Con: The Price Can Be Prohibitive
Stainless steel’s price can be relatively prohibitive. However, the exact price depends on material thickness, the specific grade, processing costs, and the alloying elements. That means there is still a chance of getting budget-friendly stainless steel.
Con: Proneness To Surface Damage
Another issue with this metal is that it can generate dents and scratches, affecting the visual appeal. Passivation, good care, and using the right cleaning materials should prevent this problem.
Notable Uses Of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is extremely popular across sectors. Its corrosion resistance, strength, and other properties are irresistible for automotive components, kitchen equipment, aerospace structures, and marine equipment projects.
Stainless steel applications in the kitchen
The material is instrumental in numerous fabrication projects for these reasons. Get insights into this application area from the Stainless Steel Sheet Fabrication Guide.
No matter your field, ProleanTech is your best bet for a reliable parts partner. Our Stainless Steel Machining Explained feature outlines the services you can expect from us.
We are talking about CNC machining with tolerances of ±0.0002″ (0.005mm), the capability to deliver parts within a day, and much more.
Applications Of Austenitic Stainless Steel
This stainless steel is renowned for food-related applications such as cutlery, kitchen equipment, and processing plants. The aerospace and automotive industries also use the material extensively for various components.
You can also use austenitic stainless steel in laboratory platforms, pharmaceutical factories, and boat components.
A stainless steel laboratory platform
Applications Of Martensitic Stainless Steels
This stainless steel category suits kitchen equipment, electrical motor parts, turbine parts, and automotive valves. Others are turbine blades, surgical tools, and pump parts.
Applications Of Duplex Stainless Steel
Duplex stainless steel is ideal for demanding applications such as heat exchanger tubes, pressure vessels, ships tanks, and gas processing parts. You could also use its parts for transportation, food processors, and construction components.
A duplex stainless steel pressure vessel
Applications Of Ferritic Stainless Steel
In this group, popular uses of stainless steel are heat exchanger parts, automotive parts, kitchenware, and industrial parts.
Which Is Better: Stainless Steel Or Carbon Steel?
The choice between carbon steel vs stainless steel depends on the capabilities brought by each category and the project requirements. Consider how the two compare under the following elements to ensure you get parts matching your project’s requirements.
Corrosion Resistance Differs
True to its name, stainless steel is highly corrosion-resistant. The chromium element in the metal provides this capability and makes the material durable. Carbon steel cannot ward off corrosion, despite having many other excellent characteristics.
Consider The Difference in Hardness
Due to its high carbon content, carbon steel has a high yield strength. However, its tensile strength is relatively low. The relatively low carbon content for stainless steel translates to lower yield strength. It can bend or dent more easily compared to carbon steel.
Bent stainless steel parts
What Is The Composition?
The issue of material selection for CNC parts is present in every project. Both steels contain carbon and iron. However, additional alloying components give each unique properties. Stainless steel contains 10.5% chromium or more, which enhances its corrosion resistance.
Carbon steel has variations in the carbon content from as low as 0.05% for low-carbon steel to a high of 3% for high-carbon steel.
Your Fabrication Requirements
Sheet metal fabrication in China for the two steels differs, with stainless steel being infamous for being difficult to machine and weld. Fabrication difficulty coupled with components contributes to the relatively high cost of stainless steel.
A stainless steel weld
However, ProleanTech has specialized techniques and tools for this and other metals with such challenges through the best sheet metal fabrication services from China.
Carbon steel is much easier to weld and CNC-machine than stainless steel.
Appearance: Natural or Enhanced Visual Appeal?
While both metals have an appealing finish, carbon steel usually needs further enhancements to improve its aesthetics. Stainless steel has a natural luster, and thus scores higher on appearance.
A surface-finished carbon steel part
A quick comparison table summarizes some of the above points. Use it to determine which category performs better in a certain area quickly.
| Property | Carbon steel | Stainless steel |
| Contents | Carbon, copper, manganese, silicon | Carbon, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, etc. |
| Main alloying element | Carbon | Chromium |
| Magnetism | Magnetic | Maybe magnetic or not |
| Corrosion resistance | Low | High |
| Strength | Generally stronger, particularly for high-carbon steel | Less tensile strength |
| Cost | Affordable, but dependent on processing, grade, and material thickness | Stainless steel cost is relatively high |
In Conclusion
After this analysis of carbon steel vs stainless steel, you are now better placed to choose the best CNC-machined parts. Carbon steel is stronger and durable, but it corrodes and is less appealing than stainless steel. Use such factors to choose.
Are you looking for expertly CNC-machined steel parts? You need a renowned partner who can walk with you. That’s where we come in. ProleanTech has a wealth of experience in CNC machining and related services, producing high-quality sheets, rods, bars, and wires from these materials.
For more on the suitability of these steels, get in contact with our experts today!
FAQs
Does Carbon Steel Rust?
Yes, carbon steel rusts if it is not adequately coated.
Is Higher Carbon Steel Harder Or Softer?
Higher carbon steel is harder.
How Strong Is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel generally has good strength, but the specific level depends on the grade.
Is Carbon Steel Stronger Than Stainless Steel?
Yes, carbon steel is stronger than stainless steel.
Is Stainless Steel Strong?
Yes, stainless steel is strong, especially when compared to alternatives like aluminum and brass.
What Makes Stainless Steel Stainless?
Stainless steel is stainless due to its chromium content.
What Does Carbon Steel Actually Mean?
Carbon steel means steel with the main alloying element at between 0.12% and 2%.
Can Stainless Steel Weld to Carbon Steel?
Yes, it can with the right welding method and filler materials.
When not to use carbon steel?
Carbon steel is not recommended in corrosive environments.
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