Carbon Steel: Properties, Production, Examples and Applications
Carbon steel is an iron-carbon alloy, which contains up to 2.1 wt.% carbon. For carbon steels, there is no minimum specified content of other alloying elements, however, they often contain manganese. The maximum manganese, silicon and copper content should be less than 1.65 wt.%, 0.6 wt.% and 0.6 wt.%, respectively.
Types of carbon steel and their properties
Carbon steel can be classified into three categories according to its carbon content: low-carbon steel (or mild-carbon steel), medium-carbon steel and high-carbon steel . Their carbon content, microstructure and properties compare as follows:
| Carbon content (wt.%) | Microstructure | Properties | Examples | 
| Low-carbon steel | < 0.25 | Ferrite, pearlite | Low hardness and cost. High ductility, toughness, machinability and weldability | 
| Medium-carbon steel | 0.25 – 0.60 | Martensite | Low hardenability, medium strength, ductility and toughness | 
| High-carbon steel | 0.60 – 1.25 | Pearlite | High hardness, strength, low ductility | 
Carbon Steel Description
Grade:
1)GB: Q195, Q215, Q235A, Q235B, Q235C, Q235D, Q255A, 255B, Q275, Q295A, Q295B, Q345B, Q345C, Q345D, Q345E, Q390A, Q390B, Q390C,Q390D, Q390E, Q420, Q420B, Q420C, Q420D, Q420E, Q460D, Q460E, Q500D, Q500E, Q550D, Q550E, Q620D, Q620E, Q690D, Q690E
2)EN: S185,S235JR, S275JR, S355JR, S420NL, S460NL S500Q, S550Q, S620Q, S690Q 
3)ASTM: Grade B, Grade C, Grade D, A36, Grade 36, Grade 40, Grade42, Grade 50, Grade 55, Grade 60, Grade 65, Grade 80 
4)JIS: SS330, SPHC, SS400, SPFC, SPHD, SPHE
PRODUCT DETAILS
| DC01/DC02/DC03/DC04
  Cold Rolled Steel Plate | 
| DC
  steel plates have high tensile strength and elongation, giving them good
  processing properties during the manufacturing process and is easy to bend,
  stamp, form and weld. This makes DC steel plates widely used in the
  manufacturing of automotive parts, home appliances, construction and other
  parts that require high strength and precision. DC steel plates’ s low carbon content gives
  them excellent weldability and machinability. They can be processed through
  various welding and cutting processes, such as arc welding, gas shielded
  welding, laser cutting, etc., to meet the needs of material processing
  performance in different fields. Lastly, the carbon emission is low and meets
  the requirements of environmental protection and sustainable development. | 
| Product   Parameters | 
| Product Name | DC01/DC02/DC03/DC04   Cold Rolled Steel Plate | 
| Production   Process | Hot Rolling,   Cold Rolling | 
| Material   Standards | AISI, ASTM,   ASME, DIN, BS, EN, ISO, JIS, GOST, SAE, etc. | 
| Width | 100mm-3000mm | 
| Length | 1m-12m, or   Customized Size | 
| Thickness | 0.1mm-400mm | 
| Delivery   Conditions | Rolling,   Annealing, Quenching, Tempered or Standard | 
| Surface   Process | Ordinary, Wire   Drawing, Laminated Film | 
| Chemical
  Composition | 
| C: max.
  0,08 % | 
| Mn: max.
  0,40 % | 
| P: max.
  0,03 % | 
| S: max.
  0,03 % | 
| Mechanical   Properties | 
| Steel Grade | Yield Strength (MPa) min | Tensile Strength (MPa) min | Elongation | Old Description | 
| % min | 
| DC01 | ≤280 | 270-410 | 28 | St   12-03 | 
| DC03 | ≤240 | 270-370 | 34 | St   13-03 | 
| DC04 | ≤210 | 270-350 | 38 | St   14-03 | 
| DC05 | ≤180 | 270-330 | 40 | St   15-03 | 
| DC06 | ≤170 | 270-330 | 41 | - | 
| DC07 | ≤150 | 250-310 | 44 | - | 
| Scope of
  Application | 
| DC01 can
  be used for simple forming work, for example Bending, embossing, beading and
  pulling.  | 
| DC03 is
  suitable for forming requirements like Deep drawing and difficult profiles
  suitable.  | 
| DC04 is
  suitable for high deformation requirements.  | 
| DC05 is
  a thermal forming grade, it is suitable for higher forming
  requirements.  | 
| DC06 is
  a grade for special deep drawing, suitable for the higher deformation
  requirements.  | 
| DC07,
  this superior deep drawing quality is suitable for highest deformation
  requirements. |