Examples:

2350
2550
4140
1060

Carbon and Alloy Steels

All of these steels are alloys of Fe and C

Plain carbon steels (less than 2% carbon and negligible amounts of
other residual elements)
Low Carbon (less than 0.3% carbon)
Med Carbon (0.3% to 0.6%)
High Carbon (0.6% to 0.95%)
Low Alloy Steel
High Alloy Steel
Stainless Steels (Corrosion-Resistant Steels) contain at least
10.5% Chromium

Common Carbon and Alloy Steels:

 Stainless steels are another class of ferrous alloys, which have been made for and are used
because of their excellent corrosion resistance.
A true stainless steel has at least 12% Cr in the steel. This steel is exposed to oxygen, which
forms a thin, stable Cr2O3 coating on the surface, which is very corrosion resistant.
The Cr2O3 in the steel is very stable against attack by a number of chemicals and
electrolytic corrosion actions. It is self healing if damaged.
In general, there are four types of stainless steels based on their crystal structure and
strengthening mechanisms. They are:
1. Ferrite stainless steels
2. Martensitic stainless steels
3. Austenitic stainless steels
4. Precipitation-hardened stainless steels

 The Austenitic Stainless Steel: austenite structure is retained in the room

temperature by Ni (acts as substitution atom): It has high corrosion resistance.
Ferrite Stainless Steel: Less nickel content than austenitic stainless steel: Used
for applications not requiring the high corrosion resistance of the austenitic
stainless steels. Less expensive
Martensitic Stainless steel: Excellent for applications for springs, and cutlery.
Precipitation hardening stainless steel: increased resistance to dislocation
motion, thereby increased strength, or hardness. Used for corrosion resistance
structural members.

These steels are formed by adding Ni, which is a strong austenite stabilizing element.
For example, 18% Cr and 8% Ni with 0.03% C will remain austenitic all the way to room
temperature.
Low or no carbide formation in these stainless steels means that they can have high
ductility, easy formability, high corrosion resistance and moderate strength.
Strength is obtained by solid solution strengthening and cold working.
They do not have any phase transitions as they are cooled so they do not become brittle at
low temperatures.

High Ni and Cr content makes them expensive relative to other stainless steels.
Small amounts of Ti or Nb form TiC or NbC, which aid strength by precipitation without
reducing corrosion resistance.

Steels

Requirements:
hardness and wear resistance
strength and toughness
heat resistance

Non-alloy tool steels

Alloy steels

(C = 0,7...1,3%)

(C = 0,4...1,6%)
non-heat resistant (200C)
semi heat resistant (300...500C)
coldwork tool steels
hot work tool steels
Heat resistant steels (500...750C)
Carbide induced tempering
hardness,
Intermetallics induced tempering
hardness

Steels

Tool steels (2)

Non heat resistant steels (200...250C)

non-alloy tool steels (0,7...1,2% C)

low alloy steels (Cr, W, Mn)

Semi heat resistant steels (300...500C)

Cold work tool steels (150...200C)

Cr-steels (1,2...2,3% C; 12% Cr + Mo, V)
Structure: M + 13...20% carbides
C = 0,6...0,7 cutting- ja impact tools

Hot work tool steels

Requirements:

high temperature strength,

heat resistance ja thermal resistance

high hardenability and not prone to tempering brittleness

low adhesion
Steels 0,5...0,6% C good toughness
1,5...2% Ni, Mo high hardenability

Steels

Heat resistant steels (500...750C)

Steels with carbide induced tempering hardness (500...650C)

Alloying elements: W (18 or 9%) + Mo, V, Co

HS-18-0-1

HS-6-5-2-5 (P6M5K5)
HT: H (1200...1300C); 3x T (570...650C) Arest ;
64...65 HRC

Steels with intermetallics induced tempering hardness

(650...750C)
Alloying elements: Co, W, Mo Co7W6; (Co,Fe)7W6 etc.
(0,1...0,3% C, 20...25% Co, 11...20% W, ca 7% Mo)
HT: Hard. (1200...1300C) 68 HRC; T (700...720C) 60 HRC