Mild Steel

Mild steel is the most commonly used steel. It is used in the industries as well in the different everyday objects we use. Even the pans and spoons of the kitchen are sometimes made of mild steel. The main target of this article is to discuss about different mild steel properties. The mild steel is very important in the manufacturing of metal items. Almost 90% steel products of the world is made up of mild steel because it is the cheapest form of steel.

Mild steel Composition

Mild steel contains -
carbon 0.16 to 0.18 % (maximum 0.25% is allowable)
Manganese 0.70 to 0.90 %
Silicon maximum 0.40%
Sulfur maximum 0.04%
Phosphorous maximum 0.04%

Most Important Mild Steel Properties

 A small amount of carbon makes mild steel to change it properties. Different amount of carbon produces different types of steels. There are small spaces between the iron lattice. Carbon atoms get attached to this spaces and makes it stronger and harder. The harder the steel the lesser the ductility.

 The modulus of elasticity calculated for the industry grade mild steel is 210,000 Mpa. It has a average density of about 7860 kg/m3.

 Mild steel is a great conductor of electricity. So it can be used easily in the welding process.

 Because of its malleability, mild steel can be used for constructing pipelines and other construction materials. Even domestic cookwares are made of mild steel. It is ductile and not brittle but hard.

 Mild steel can be easily magnetized because of its ferromagnetic properties. So electrical devices can be made of mild steel.

 Mild steel is very much suitable as structural steel. Different automobile manufacturers also use mild steel for making the body and parts of the vehicle.

 Mild steel can be easily machined in the lathe, shaper, drillling or milling machine. Its hardness can be increased by the application of carbon.

 Mild steel is very much prone to rust because it has high amount of carbon. When rust free products are needed people prefer stainless steel over mild steel.