How to Convert Steel Grades
Hundreds of different grades and types of steel exist. Most are divided up into three general categories: tool steel, simple steel and stainless steel. Within each category, different families of steel exist. For instance, tool steel category steel is classified on its primary characteristics of air hardening, oil hardening and shock resistances. The American Iron and Steel Institute is one of the most common standardizing organizations and uses a alphanumeric identification system to classify steel. Converting between different steel grades according to chemistry or properties is possible but technical data is necessary for more accurate conversions. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Obtain the steel identification code. It is usually provided by the foundry. Simple steels follow an XYZZ numbering system where the first two digits designates the type of steel and alloying elements (carbon, nickle, chromium) and the last two digits designate the carbon content. For instance, in 1018 steel the "1" designates that it is a carbon steel, the "0" means there are no additional alloying elements and the "18" means there is a carbon content of approximately 0.18 percent.
-
2
Note the carbon content. Carbon content is the single most important alloying element in steel. Steels with similar carbon content generally respond similarly to heat treatment. A carbon content greater than 0.5 percent generally needs to be heat treated.
-
-
3
Reference the carbon content of the desired steel. Tool steels generally have carbon contents greater than 0.5 percent. While 1090 steel has a carbon content roughly equal to O-1 tool steel, the existence of additional alloying elements gives the two steels slightly different properties. High carbon steels follow a similar coding terminology as simple steels. These steels typically follow a XXYY coding where the first two digits equate to the alloy and the last two correspond to the carbon content. To convert a 1090 to a 5190 one would note the carbon content is the same, 0.90 percent, but another alloy would be needed to change the steel from a simple steel to the 51XX series. In this case the 51 equates to additional chromium content.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
While different steels within different families don't convert directly, the relative carbon content can be converted.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
