Steel as an engineering material finds diverse applications. The basic components of all steel materials are iron and carbon. Even though Steel signifies a broad range of ferrous metal alloys, most people divide it into two broad categories; Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel. In this article, we will find the main differences between these two broad categories, i.e, Carbon Steel vs Stainless Steel.
Density of Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel
Density of typical stainless steel is 8.0 g/cm3 (304 steel).
Density of typical steel is 8.05 g/cm3.
Density is defined as the mass per unit volume. It is an intensive property, which is mathematically defined as mass divided by volume:
ρ = m/V
In words, the density (ρ) of a substance is the total mass (m) of that substance divided by the total volume (V) occupied by that substance. The standard SI unit is kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3). The Standard English unit is pounds mass per cubic foot (lbm/ft3).
Strength of Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel
Low carbon steel has a tensile strength of 60,000 to 80,000 pounds per square inch.
The tensile strength of Medium carbon steel has 100,000 to 120,000 pounds per square inch.
Alloy steel has a tensile strength of above 150,000 psi.
Stainless Steel
Austenitic stainless steel has a tensile strength of 72,000 to 115,000 pounds per square inch.
Stainless steel of Martensitic has a tensile strength of 72,000 to 160,000 pounds per square inch.
Stainless steel ferritic – tensile strength ranges from 65,000 to 87,000 psi
Hardness of Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel
Brinell hardness of stainless steel – type 304 is approximately 201 MPa.
Brinell hardness of ferritic stainless steel – Grade 430 is approximately 180 MPa.
Brinell hardness of martensitic stainless steel – Grade 440C is approximately 270 MPa.
Brinell hardness of duplex stainless steels – SAF 2205 is approximately 217 MPa.
Brinell hardness of low-carbon steel is approximately 120 MPa.
Brinell hardness of high-carbon steel is approximately 200 MPa.
Melting Point of Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel
Melting point of stainless steel – type 304 steel is around 1450°C.
Melting point of ferritic stainless steel – Grade 430 steel is around 1450°C.
Melting point of martensitic stainless steel – Grade 440C steel is around 1450°C.
Melting point of low-carbon steel is around 1450°C.
Carbon Steel vs Stainless Steel: Machinability and Weldability
Carbon steel can be machined easily and it has good welding capabilities. On the contrary, Stainless steel requires specialized techniques for welding and machining. For machine tools, stainless steel is hard compared to carbon steel.
Carbon Steel vs Stainless Steel: Other differences
Stainless Steel Carbon Steel
Thermal conductivity is comparatively lower Higher thermal conductivity.
Excellent wear resistance Poor wear resistance.
Heat treatment of Stainless steel is difficult Carbon Steel can easily undergo heat treatment.
Stainless Steel is easily cleanable The cleanability of carbon steel is less than stainless steel.
Carbon steel vs. stainless steel is a common confusion in people who are not aware of the properties of the metals. But, We hope that this article was helpful for you. You may now know the significant differences between carbon steel vs. stainless steel.
Post time: Feb-16-2022