Carbon steel is an alloy consisting of iron and carbon. Several other elements are allowed in carbon steel, with low maximum percentages. These elements are manganese, with a 1.65% maximum, silicon, with a 0.60% maximum, and copper, with a 0.60% maximum. Other elements may be present in quantities too small to affect its properties.

There are four types of carbon steel based on the amount of carbon present in the alloy. Lower carbon steels are softer and more easily formed, and steels with a higher carbon content are harder and stronger, but less ductile, and they become more difficult to machine and weld. Below are the properties of the grades of carbon steel we supply:

Low Carbon Steel – Composition of 0.05%-0.25% carbon and up to 0.4% manganese. Also known as mild steel, it is a low-cost material that is easy to shape. While not as hard as higher-carbon steels, carburizing can increase its surface hardness.

Medium Carbon Steel – Composition of 0.29%-0.54% carbon, with 0.60%-1.65% manganese. Medium carbon steel is ductile and strong, with long-wearing properties.

High Carbon Steel – Composition of 0.55%-0.95% carbon, with 0.30%-0.90% manganese. It is very strong and holds shape memory well, making it ideal for springs and wire.

Very High Carbon Steel - Composition of 0.96%-2.1% carbon. Its high carbon content makes it an extremely strong material. Due to its brittleness, this grade requires special handling.

Carbon Content Levels for Carbon Steel Plates

Carbon steel plate levels are divided as follows:

low carbon = .06% to .25% carbon content (mild steel)

medium carbon = .25% to .55% carbon content (medium steel)

high carbon = >.55% to 1.00% carbon content (hard steel)

Benefits of Carbon Steel Plates

Carbon steel is most often mild or hot-rolled steel. As a corrosion-resistant and abrasion-resistant steel, carbon steel plates are well suited for applications requiring durability against stress as well as environmental stressors when used for outdoor purposes. Additional benefits of carbon steel plates include:

Versatility when compared to other steel sheets. Steel plates are available in a wide selection of thicknesses and widths

Carbon steel plates offer great ductility

Cost-effective alternative to aluminum or stainless steel

Malleable and easy to fabricate

Can be galvanized for corrosion-resistance

Carbon Steel Plate Stock Grades

10XX = non-resulpherized carbon steel, with manganese 1.00% maximum (for example 1018, 1045 and 1050).

11XX = resulpherized carbon steel (for example 1117, 1141 and 1144).

12XX = rephosphorized and resulpherized carbon steel (for example 12L14 and 1215).