What are differences between alloy steel and carbon steel?

1. Different chemical composition between alloy steel and carbon steel

Carbon steel refers to the carbon steel with carbon content less than 0.25%.

Alloy steel is based on carbon steel. One or more alloy elements are intentionally added during smelting to improve its performance. Low alloy steel is called if the total alloy content is less than or equal to 5%, medium alloy steel is called if the total alloy content is 5~10%, and high alloy steel is called if the total alloy content is more than 10%.

2. Different characteristics between alloy steel and carbon steel

Carbon steel: good plasticity and weldability, but slightly poor strength.

Alloy steel: because different alloy elements are added as required, its comprehensive properties are better, or it has a special purpose.

3. Different uses between alloy steel and carbon steel

Carbon steel: generally rolled into angle steel, channel steel, I-beam, steel pipe, steel strip or steel plate, which is used to make various building components, containers, boxes, furnaces and agricultural machinery.

Alloy steel: can be used for spring materials, rolling bearings, measuring tool materials, anti-corrosion, heat-resistant materials, and low-temperature materials (special steel is nickel steel).