Alloy Steel Facts

Alloy steel contains manganese or other elements.

In the past half-century, demand for lightweight, tough steel has grown, especially in auto and aircraft manufacturing. Alloy steel satisfies those needs.

Types

All types of steel contain iron and carbon. The three types of commercial steel are plain carbon, low-alloy and high-alloy steels. Plain carbon steel contains iron and less than 1 percent carbon.

Identification

Low-alloy steel usually contains less than 0.25 percent carbon and alloys of chromium, nickel, molybdenum or tungsten. An example of high-alloy steel is stainless steel, which is high in nickel and chromium content.

Function

Alloy steels offer high tensile strength and ductility, which allows them to be manipulated into wires or sheets without breaking.

Benefits

By changing the alloys or varying the amounts, manufacturers can create an wide variety of alloy steels tailored to specific uses, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (ASIS).

Identification

The ASIS classifies alloy steels with a four-digit number. The first two numbers identify the main alloy and the last two indicate the percentage of carbon present.

References

• American Iron and Steel Institute: Steel Glossary
• KeyToMetals.com: Alloy Steels
• TheFabricator.com: Carbon Content, Steel Classification and Ally Steels

Resources

• eFunda.com: General Information on Alloy Steel