Carbon Steel vs. Mild Steel — What's the Difference?

Carbon Steel, as its name suggests, primarily relies on carbon as its main alloying constituent. The proportion of carbon in this type of steel can range from low to high. Depending on its carbon content, Carbon Steel can be further categorized into mild, medium, and high carbon steel. Mild Steel, on the other hand, is a subset of Carbon Steel and is characterized by its notably low carbon content, typically from 0.05% to 0.25%. Due to this low carbon concentration, Mild Steel is more ductile and malleable than higher carbon steels.

Carbon Steel's properties, such as strength, hardness, and the ability to become harder through heat treatments, are directly influenced by the amount of carbon it contains. In contrast, because of its low carbon content, Mild Steel does not respond as effectively to heat treatments, and its hardness and strength are comparatively lower than other carbon steels. However, Mild Steel is more weldable and can be shaped more easily.

Mild Steel is often used in applications where weldability is crucial, due to its excellent welding properties. This is in contrast to Carbon Steel with higher carbon content, which can become brittle and less ductile, making it more challenging to weld. Mild Steel is also more prone to corrosion compared to other types of Carbon Steel, which can be combated using protective coatings or treatments.

Carbon Steel's versatility is undeniable, with its variations serving a wide array of industries and applications. While Mild Steel, with its specific attributes, is ideal for construction projects, automobile bodies, and other scenarios where its ductility and weldability can be leveraged. Despite the differences, both Carbon Steel and Mild Steel are fundamental in the world of metallurgy, each serving unique needs based on its properties.