About Steel

Steel is composed mainly of iron, carbon, and other alloying elements that offer a wide range of characteristics including high strength, shock resistance, and machinability. Metals in which there is more than 10.5% chromium as an alloying element are considered to be stainless steel. Carbon steel, designated by 1XXX (example: 1018), is a simple alloy of iron with carbon, manganese, and silicon. Note that as a material's carbon content increases, its strength improves but its formability and weldability lessen. Alloy steel, designated by 2XXX-9XXX (example: 4140) or 52XXX (example : E52100), contains additional elements such as chromium and molybdenum to enhance properties such as machinability, weldability, hardness, abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance. Tool steel, designated by <letter>,<number> (example: D2), is highly alloyed, resulting in increased hardness, wear resistance, and temperature resistance. Tool steel is ideal for the creation of tools used for cutting, shaping, and forming materialsapplications in which metals can withstand shock without breaking or deforming. Tool steel is generally categorized by method of hardening, mechanical features, or major alloying element. View information about the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of steel, as well as heat-treating data for tool steel.

Hardness
The hardness of a material is its resistance to another material penetrating its surface. Harder materials have more wear resistance. Tool steels are rated after hardening; all other materials are rated in their annealed conditions.

Yield Strength
Yield strength is the point at which material bends and will not return to its original shape. At this point, the metal has changed shape permanently but does not break. All are rated in their annealed conditions. Note: Yield strength is not rated in the annealed condition for 1074/1075, 1095, 1144, 4340, M42, and M50.

Machinability
Machinability refers to a material's ability to be cut, drilled, reamed, tapped, threaded, etc. All are rated in their annealed conditions. Carbon and alloy steel ratings use AISI 1112/1212 as a basis, while tool steels use W1. Note: Machinability is not rated for 1074/1075 and 1095.

Weldability
Refers to a material's ability to be welded. All are rated in their annealed conditions. Note: Weldability is not rated for 1074/1075, 1095, 41L40, M4, P20, and S2.

Wear Resistance
Wear resistance measures a material's ability to resist surface loss due to motion between that surface and a contacting substance. Tool steels are rated after hardening; all other materials are rated in their annealed conditions. Note: Wear resistance is not rated for A36, 1018, 1045, 1065, 1074/1075, 1095, 1215, 4130, and 4150.

Toughness
Toughness refers to a material's ability to absorb energy before fracturing. Tool steels are rated after hardening; all others are rated in their annealed conditions. Note: Toughness is not rated for A36, 1018, 1045, 1065, 1074/1075, 1095, 1215, 4130, and 4150.

Formability
Formability is also known as bendability. It is the ease with which a material can be shaped. All are rated in their annealed conditions. Note: Formability is not rated for A36, 1018, 1065, 1074/1075, 4150, 4340, M4, P20, and S2.

Warning! Hardness and yield strength are not guaranteed and are intended only as a basis for comparison.