ABOUT STEEL 101
Steel Is Everywhere
It’s the backbone of our modern world. From towering skyscrapers to precision tools, steel’s versatility lies in its material properties and unmatched strength. But what is steel, really? It’s an alloy of iron and carbon, with a few other metals in steel alloy improving its performance.
From adaptive carbon steel material for industrial strength to numerous types of stainless steel for corrosion resistance, the different kinds of steel serve countless diverse purposes. This guide explores the composition of steel, key steel grades, and why steel remains the leading choice across industries.
Stainless Steel
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What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is a versatile, corrosion-resistant alloy widely used across industries. Made primarily of iron, carbon, and at least 10.5% chromium, this alloy forms a passive layer that resists rust, making it highly durable. While stainless steel is a metal, its superior strength and appearance make it stand out among the different kinds of steel and commercial steel and alloys in the market.
Stainless steel is a category known for its corrosion resistance, ease of maintenance, and recyclability. Leading stainless steel product manufacturers like Fortran Steel are renowned for their varied, premium offerings in this category. From construction to manufacturing to kitchenware, stainless material has a place in almost every sector.
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Chemical Composition of Stainless Steel
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The SS composition consists of:
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Iron (Fe): Base element
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Chromium (Cr): At least 10.5% to provide corrosion resistance
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Nickel (Ni): Provides strength and ductility
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Carbon (C): Increases hardness
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Molybdenum (Mo): Increases corrosion resistance
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Manganese, Silicon, Nitrogen: Trace elements to improve properties
This stainless steel material composition delivers the perfect durability and versatility compared to other carbon-heavy steel grades.
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Types of Stainless Steel
Austenitic SS
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The most common type, austenitic stainless steels contain high levels of chromium and nickel.
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Austenitic steel offers excellent corrosion resistance and flexibility.
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Applications: Food processing equipment, piping, and medical instruments.
Ferritic SS
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Ferritic stainless steels contain chromium but low nickel, which makes them more affordable.
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Ferritic stainless steel grades are known for their magnetic properties and good resistance to stress corrosion.
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Applications: Automotive parts, appliances, and architectural trim.
Martensitic SS
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Martensitic stainless steels contain moderate chromium with a higher carbon content.
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Martensitic steel provides strength and hardness, though it is less corrosion-resistant.
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Applications: Cutlery, surgical tools, and valves.
Duplex SS
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Duplex stainless steel has a balanced austenite-ferrite microstructure for superior strength and corrosion resistance.
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Duplex stainless steel grades resist stress corrosion cracking, pitting, and crevice corrosion, particularly in chloride-rich environments like seawater.
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Applications: Marine and chemical industries.
Precipitation Hardening SS
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Precipitation-hardening stainless steel is known for its high strength through heat treatment.
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Applications: Aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.
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Use Stainless Steel When:
You Need a Durable Material
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Stainless material withstands wear, a quality that is perfect for heavy-duty applications.
Space Aesthetics Matter
Stainless steel offers a sleek, polished finish for architectural projects.
Hygiene is Critical and vital
Its non-porous surface makes it ideal for food and medical applications.
Strength and Flexibility are Required
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From austenitic stainless steels to martensitic steels, you get options that suit both strength and flexibility
Corrosion Resistance is Essential
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Ideal for marine, chemical, and outdoor environments.
Carbon Steel
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What is Carbon Steel?
Carbon steel is one of the most widely used steel varieties, valued for its strength, affordability, and versatility. Classified based on carbon content, it includes low carbon steel, medium carbon steel, and high carbon steel. The varying levels of carbon determine the steel's hardness, strength, and ductility, which in turn make it suitable for a range of applications.
Mild steel—a type of low carbon steel—is particularly popular in construction and manufacturing for its excellent weldability and cost-effectiveness. Compared to high and medium carbon steel, mild steel metal stands out for its flexibility and adaptability.
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Chemical Composition of Carbon Steel
The CS composition consists of:
The carbon content in mild steel and other types of carbon steel determines their properties:
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Low Carbon Steel: 0.05% - 0.25% carbon (also known as mild steel)
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Medium Carbon Steel: 0.25% - 0.60% carbon
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High Carbon Steel: 0.60% - 2.1% carbon
Other elements like manganese, silicon, and sulfur may be added to improve strength or machinability, depending on the steel category.
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Types of Carbon Steel
Low Carbon Steel / Mild Steel
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Carbon Content: 0.05% to 0.25%
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Properties: Soft, highly ductile, and easy to weld or shape. This mild carbon steel type is often referred to as MS steel and is cost-effective.
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Applications: Widely used for mild steel pipes, MS plate supplier products, mild steel bars, and mild steel angle structures.
Medium Carbon Steel
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Carbon Content: 0.25% to 0.60%
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Properties: Greater strength and hardness than low carbon metal but less ductile.
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Applications: Used in automotive parts, machinery, and MS round bar products.
High Carbon Steel
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Carbon Content: 0.60% to 2.1%
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Properties: Extremely strong and hard but brittle. Ideal for cutting tools and wires.
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Applications: Springs, knives, and high-strength wires.
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Use Carbon Steel When:
Moderate Durability & High Flexibility
Low, medium, and high carbon steel provide options for cookware, manufacturing, and industrial projects.
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Cost-Effective Strength
Mild steel prices are affordable which makes the material perfect for large-scale projects.
High-Strength Applications
High carbon steel delivers hardness for tools and machinery.
Weldability is Essential
Low carbon steel can be welded and shaped easily for fabrication.
Versatility is Key
From mild steel pipes to mild steel wires like HB Wires, carbon steel suits diverse applications.
Alloy Steel
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What is Alloy Steel?
Alloy steel is a type of steel alloy metal that incorporates other elements like chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and vanadium to increase its strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Unlike carbon steel, the material composition of alloy steel is customized for specific applications. It's the perfect fit for industries requiring superior performance. High Nickel Alloy Steel, for example, is optimized for high temperatures and resistant to corrosive and oxidizing environments.
The composition of alloys gives it excellent durability, flexibility, and heat resistance. This steel-alloy combination makes it one of the most versatile examples of alloy in engineering and construction.
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Chemical Composition of Alloy Steel
The AS composition consists of:
Alloy steel strength and properties depend on its composition. Commonly, this composition includes:
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Iron (Fe): Base material
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Carbon (C): Up to 1.2%
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Alloying Elements: Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Molybdenum, Silicon, Vanadium
These elements provide properties like corrosion resistance, tensile strength, and better heat tolerance.
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Types of Alloy Steel
Low Alloy Steel
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Contains up to 5% alloying elements.
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Known for its cost-effectiveness and good mechanical properties.
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The properties of steel alloys like these make them ideal for structural components and pipelines.
High Alloy Steel
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Contains more than 5% alloying elements.
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High strength, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance.
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Used in aerospace, chemical processing, and heavy machinery.
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Use Stainless Steel When:
Flexibility and Toughness are Priorities
These steel and alloys handle stress and pressure effectively.
You Need Custom Properties
The material composition of steel can be tailored to meet performance demands.
Heat Resistance is Needed
High alloy steels perform well under extreme temperatures.
Strength and Flexibility are Required
Superior alloy steel strength is ideal for structural applications.
Corrosion Resistance is Essential
Alloy steel resists rust and environmental wear up to a certain extent.
Tool Steel
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What is Tool Steel?
Tool steel is a high-strength steel material type specifically designed for manufacturing tool steel tools, dies, and cutting instruments. Its exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and ability to maintain a sharp edge under extreme conditions make it indispensable for toolmaking.
The tool material is engineered to withstand repeated stress, heat, and impact during machining and metalworking processes.
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Chemical Composition of Tool Steel
The TS composition consists of:
Tool steel materials typically include:
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Iron (Fe): Base material
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Carbon (C): 0.5% - 1.5% for hardness
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Alloying Elements: Tungsten, Chromium, Vanadium, Molybdenum, and Cobalt
These steel material grades deliver hardness, toughness, and temperature resistance.
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Use Tool Steel When:
Need Sharp, Long-Lasting Edges
Tool steel tools retain cutting performance over time.
High-Temperature Resistance
Maintains strength during heat-intensive operations.
Precision and Hardness are Needed
Ideal for creating steel tools and dies.
Applications that Demand Strength
Suitable for dynamic types of tools used in manufacturing and heavy engineering.
Durability and Wear Resistance
Perfect for repeated machining and forming processes.
STAY ASSURED
Why Choose Fortran Steel For Your All Your Steel Needs?
At Fortran Steel, we pride ourselves on delivering top-quality steel products that meet the demands of modern industries. With decades of expertise and a strong focus on precision, we specialize in providing premium Mild Steel and Stainless Steel solutions. Our vast product range includes everything from MS Bright Bars to SS hot rolled bars to galvanized steel products like GI and PPGI Sheets & Coils.
Our products are known for their strength, durability, and adaptability. They're a flawless fit for construction, manufacturing, automotive, engineering, and other specialized applications. By combining advanced technology with a commitment to impeccable quality, Fortran Steel sees to it that each product meets the highest industry standards.
When you partner with us, you gain more than just steel—you gain reliability, consistency, and a promise of exceptional service. Be it precision-engineered materials or customized steel solutions, Fortran Steel is your trusted supplier for unmatched performance and value.
Our manufacturing facility is equipped with progressive technology, modern machinery, and premium-quality product.
Masterful Manufacturing
We adhere to rigorous quality control measures at every stage of the manufacturing process with guarantee.
Strict Quality Control
From round bars to hexagonal bars to SS flat bars, and more, we offer a comprehensive range of steel 101 in various grades, sizes, and shapes to suit diverse customer needs.
Innovative Product Range
Our team of skilled professionals has extensive experience and expertise in the manufacturing. Equipped with advanced knowledge.
Expert Team
With efficient logistics and streamlined processes, we are very particular about the prompt delivery to our customers, meeting their project timelines and requirements swiftly.
Timely Delivery
At Fortran Steel, customer satisfaction is our top priority. We are committed to providing exceptional service.
Customer-First Approach
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Stainless steel is special due to its unique material composition, which includes a high percentage of chromium (at least 10.5%). This gives it very high corrosion resistance for a wide range of applications where durability is critical, such as in the food, medical, and aerospace industries. Unlike other steel types, stainless steel doesn’t rust. That's why it's a preferred choice for industries requiring long-lasting, easy-to-maintain materials.
The best stainless steel depends on the application. For general use, austenitic stainless steels like 304 stainless steel are popular for their corrosion resistance and versatility. For higher strength and toughness, duplex stainless steels are more appropriate. In cutting tools or precision applications, martensitic stainless steel grades provide excellent hardness and wear resistance. Each steel grade has its own strengths based on the industry’s needs. Choosing the right stainless steel material composition is pertinent to your specific needs.
Carbon steel gets its name because its primary element is carbon. The amount of carbon in the steel affects its hardness and strength, with higher carbon content making the steel harder but less ductile. Carbon steel material is a broad category that includes low carbon steel, medium carbon steel, and high carbon steel, each with different properties suitable for various applications like manufacturing, fabrication, and tools.
Another common name for mild steel is low carbon steel. Mild steel contains a low percentage of carbon (typically up to 0.25%) and is known for its flexibility, ease of welding, and affordability. Mild steel is widely used in structural applications, automotive manufacturing, and general fabrication. It's one of the most versatile steel material types.
Mild steel can be identified by its relatively low carbon content and distinctive material steel properties. It’s soft and malleable; easy to shape and weld. The surface of mild steel is usually smooth, and it has a greyish or dull finish. To confirm it’s mild steel, you can also check for the presence of low carbon content, typically under 0.25%, which is characteristic of mild steel material composition.
No, mild steel is one of the most cost-effective types of steel materials available. Because it has low carbon content and is widely produced, mild steel prices are typically lower than higher-carbon steels or stainless steel. It provides excellent value for applications that don’t require immense strength or corrosion resistance of other steel grades.