High Strength Carbon Steel Plate
A wide variety of carbon steel plate grades exist based on their varying levels of strength, toughness and durability. Some are also more weather resistant.
Low carbon, or mild, steel is one of the most ductile and machinable types of carbon steel plate. This makes it an ideal choice for many applications, including building construction and machinery.
Strength
Despite their incredibly high strength, carbon steel plates are also surprisingly lightweight. This allows them to carry heavy loads without exceeding their limits and is an important benefit for construction projects. This is especially true for building structural frames, bridges and machinery.
In addition, these plates have high yield and tensile strengths. Tensile strength refers to how much pulling or stretching a piece of steel can withstand before it breaks. Yield strength, on the other hand, measures how much bending or deformation a steel can endure before permanent damage occurs. Bending a metal plate with a hammer until it dents is a simple way to test a plate’s yield strength.
Trinity Products carries an extensive inventory of carbon, structural and HSLA steel plate grades that meet both U.S. and Canadian standards. Our low carbon mild steel, for example, is silicon-killed and has a relatively low carbon content, but it also boasts great formability and comprehensive mechanical properties after heat treatment.
This steel is a key component of the crane booms, machine frames and other components that make up industrial equipment. Its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio allows it to withstand heavy loads and harsh environmental conditions, making it a valuable construction material. It is also used to create the robust structural frameworks that allow skyscrapers to reach dizzying heights and countless other buildings to remain standing in spite of powerful winds and earthquakes.
Durability
Carbon steel plates are a popular choice for construction because they offer High Strength Carbon Steel Plate excellent durability. They are strong and sturdy, able to withstand harsh outdoor environments without bending or breaking. They are also resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for use in marine environments. In addition, they can withstand the impact and shock of heavy machinery and equipment.
Despite their exceptional durability, carbon steel plates are relatively lightweight and cost-effective compared to other materials like aluminum or stainless steel. This makes them a great choice for businesses looking to optimize their budget without sacrificing quality or performance. Additionally, their longevity reduces maintenance and replacement costs, further reducing overall project expenses.
There are many different grades of carbon steel available, each with its own set of properties. The most common are low-carbon, medium-carbon, and high-carbon steel. Each grade has a specific yield strength and tensile strength, which determines its ability to resist deformation under load.
For example, a low-carbon steel plate is primarily used for applications that do not require a lot of push-on, pull-off force, such as something to carbon steel manufacturer hang materials off of. It is also a common choice for construction projects because of its excellent formability and welding properties. On the other hand, high-carbon steel is often used for structural applications and machinery that requires significant sturdiness and durability.
Corrosion Resistance
Carbon steel plates have exceptional corrosion resistance, making them a popular construction material for projects that require longevity. They are particularly resistant to atmospheric corrosion, which can help maintain the structural integrity of buildings and other structures for longer periods of time. This quality helps reduce maintenance costs by reducing the amount of time and effort required to keep structures safe.
These construction materials are also a staple for the fabrication of heavy machinery and equipment. Agricultural machinery like tractors, harvesters, and combines benefit from the high strength-to-weight ratio offered by carbon steel plates. This feature makes these devices more durable and helps them perform better during demanding agricultural operations. They also contribute to the efficiency and durability of construction equipment like cranes and bulldozers.
Storage tanks are commonly constructed from these durable materials. These tanks are designed to be airtight and watertight, helping them withstand harsh environments and heavy loads. They can be constructed using a variety of welding and riveting methods, making them suitable for a wide range of uses.
In addition to their versatility, carbon steel plates are also easy to work with and provide many benefits to the construction industry. They can be welded easily, which simplifies the construction process and saves time and resources. In addition, they can be fabricated into complex shapes and designs, which helps to further streamline the construction process.
Weldability
Many common tools used in construction, such as springs, coils, wrenches and hammers, are made of high carbon steel. This is due to its increased durability and resistance to rust. It is also highly resistant to impact damage, which makes it perfect for construction projects like bridges.
Compared to low or mild steel, higher carbon levels in steel plates tend to make them more difficult to weld. Luckily, there are methods for working with these types of steel to minimize cracking risks and still get the job done.
The first thing to consider when welding high carbon steel is the strength of the base metal. Since medium/high carbon steels have tensile strengths between 35,900 and 484000 psi, it is important to use a filler metal with a similar strength. Alternatively, prioritizing lower-strength filler metals can enhance crack resistance in the weld, which is particularly useful for harder joints that are prone to cracking.
In addition, higher carbon steels often undergo quenching and tempering to enhance their hardness and toughness. When welding these materials, it is critical to use a filler metal that has low hydrogen content to avoid cold cracking. The ideal filler metal for these applications should have an H2, H4, H8, or H16 designator to reduce the amount of diffusible hydrogen in the weld. Proper preheat, interpass temperature and post-weld heat treatment are also essential to minimizing cracking risk.