The role of carbon content in steels
Carbon is the main alloying element of iron and steel, so steel is also called iron carbon alloy. The main role of carbon in steel is to:1., the formation of solid solution tissue, improve the strength of steel, such as ferrite and austenitic structure, are dissolved in carbon;
Therefore, the carbon content determines the use of steel: low carbon steel (carbon content < 0.25%), commonly used as extrusion and stamping materials; carbon steel (carbon content < 0.6%), commonly used as mechanical parts; high carbon steel (carbon content > 0.7%), commonly used tools, tool and mould etc..
2., the formation of carbide structure, can improve the hardness and wear resistance of steel, such as cementite, or Fe3C, that is, carbide organizationTherefore, the higher the carbon content in carbon steel, the higher the strength and hardness of the steel, but the plasticity and toughness will also be reduced. On the contrary, the lower the carbon content, the higher the plasticity and toughness of the steel, and its strength and hardness will also decrease
