Steel rod and wire is available for various different applications. Each has unique chemical specifications and characteristics has been developed for specific uses. The unique chemical make-up of each grade of steel is designed to achieve specific mechanical requirements for each application. The following list is a breakdown ofthe various types of steel provided by Beta Steel.
- Carbon Steel: Contains only carbon and iron, with trace amounts of other elements. Common grades include:
- Low Carbon Steel (Mild Steel): Contains up to 0.25% carbon and is easily formable and weldable.
- Grades: 1008, 1010, 1018, 1022, 10B21.
- Applications: General-purpose construction, automotive components, machinery, and hardware.
- Medium Carbon Steel: Contains 0.25% to 0.60% carbon and is stronger than low carbon steel but less ductile. Used in shafts, axles, gears, and structural components requiring higher strength and wear resistance.
- Grades: 1035, 1038, 1040, 1045.
- High Carbon Steel: Contains 0.60% to 1.00% carbon and is harder and more wear-resistant but less ductile. Known for its hardness and wear resistance, used in cutting tools and springs and components requiring high hardness and wear resistance..
- Grades: 1060, 1065, 1080,
- Applications: Cutting tools, springs, and components requiring high hardness and wear resistance.
- Alloy Steel: Contains additional alloying elements such as higher levels of manganese, chromium, nickel, or molybdenum to enhance specific properties like strength, toughness, or corrosion resistance. Common grades include:
- Grades: 4130, 4140, 4340, 8620, 8640 etc.
- 4130 Steel: Used in structural frames for aircraft and fasteners for ships, bridges and buildings.
- 4140 Steel: Known for its high strength, used in machinery and automotive parts such as crankshafts and connecting rods.
- 4340 Steel: Offers high strength and toughness, used in aircraft components and structural parts.
- 8620 Steel: Used to produce gears, bushings, bolts & heavy duty pins.
- 8640 Steel: Manufacturing parts with high strength and resistant to fracture is required.
- Applications: Components requiring high strength, toughness, and wear resistance, such as gears, shafts, and automotive components.
- Stainless Steel: Contains chromium (10.5% or more), which forms a passive oxide layer on the surface, providing excellent corrosion resistance. Common grades include:
- Austenitic grades: 304, 316, 316L, etc.
- Ferritic grades: 409, 430, etc.
- Martensitic grades: 410, 420, etc.
- Applications: Automotive muffler hangers and other industrial applications, kitchen utensils, medical equipment.
- Weathering Steel: Offering enhanced corrosion resistance when exposed to the weather.
- Grades: ASTM F3125 Type 3 grades A325 & A490
- Applications: bridge bolts and guard rails bolts
