All You Need To Know About Steel Alloys

Steel is all around us. Chances are, you encounter it every day without even realizing it. From cars to buildings, appliances to infrastructure, steel makes up the objects we depend on.

But what exactly is steel made of? What are the different types and categories of steel alloys? In this blog post, we'll break down the basics so you can better understand this versatile material.

The Origins of Today’s Steel Alloys

Believe it or not, steel dates back thousands of years to ancient blacksmiths firing up their furnaces. But today’s steel comes from a smarter process — recycling old metal!

Rather than digging up heavy iron ore, steelmakers melt down scrap metal to give it a second life. This recycling saves a ton of energy and natural resources. As the American Iron and Steel Institute explains:

“North American steelmaking furnaces consume nearly 70 million tons of domestic steel scrap in the production of new steel… By using steel scrap to make new steel, the North American steel industry conserves energy, emissions, raw materials, and natural resources.”

Steel is an alloy, meaning it blends iron with other elements like carbon. On average, carbon makes up around 2% of steel’s composition. More carbon makes steel harder and stronger, while less makes it more flexible.

By tweaking the carbon and reusing scraps, steelmakers can fine-tune the metal's properties for any job. From buildings to cars to appliances, recycled steel brings strength, safety, and sustainability to the modern world.

Now let's dig into the different steel types and see what benefits they provide!

Steel Groups: Stainless, Carbon, Tool, and Alloy

Steel comes in all shapes and sizes. To make sense of it all, let's break it down into four main categories: stainless, carbon, tool, and alloy steels. 

Stainless Steel

As the name suggests, stainless steel doesn't rust — thanks to its chromium content (at least 10.5%). The chromium forms a thin, invisible layer of oxide on the surface that stops corrosion in its tracks. Stainless steel often contains nickel and molybdenum, too, for an extra kick of corrosion resistance and durability.

From restaurant kitchen tools to medical equipment, stainless steel is loved for strength, hygiene, attractiveness, and standing the test of time.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel covers a range — anywhere from 0.05% to 2.1% carbon content mixed with the iron. More carbon boosts strength and hardness. But go too high on carbon and the steel loses flexibility and weldability. 

Low carbon steel with 0.05-0.25% carbon offers a nice balance — affordable, easy to machine, suitable for auto parts, steel plates for construction, tubing, and everyday piping.

Tool Steel

When you make tools meant for intense cutting, shaping, and forming metal, you need a super strong steel that laughs at high heat and wears slowly over time. That's tool steel! 

It's infused with hardy ingredients like tungsten, chromium, and vanadium alloys. This makes tool steel perfect for keeping sharp edges through millions of machining and shaping tasks — even while red hot.

Alloy Steel

You're probably thinking — aren't all steels alloys? Fair point. But "alloy steel" refers to carbon steel with extra alloys besides just iron and carbon. Added metals help make alloy steel stronger, more corrosion-resistant, and better able to be hardened when heat-treated.

This makes alloy steels popular for pipelines, building beams, machinery parts, and appliances. The recipes change to fit the specific use case.

Get Your Steel Solution at Mead Metals

Now that you've unlocked the secrets of steel alloys, you're ready to turn knowledge into action. At Mead Metals, we've been your trusted partner in high-quality metal solutions for over 60 years.

Whether you need gleaming stainless for kitchen appliances, dependable carbon for construction, or precision tool steel for your next project, we have the perfect match for your needs. Our extensive inventory, backed by ISO 9001 certified processes, guarantees you receive the exact steel you require, every time.

Our experienced team is here to guide you through the maze of metals and alloys. Contact us today for a quick quote or expert material recommendation!