Carbon steel is classified into several types based on its carbon content, each with distinct properties and applications.

1. Low Carbon Steel (Mild Steel)
   • Characteristics:
     • Contains a low percentage of carbon, making it malleable and easy to
     • Offers the widest variety of shapes, from flat sheets to structural
     • Cannot be significantly altered by heat
   • Applications:
     • Used in flat-rolled sheets and strips for shipbuilding, vehicle bodies, wire, and domestic
     • Ideal for fabrication and paneling due to its ease of
     • Wrought iron, a form of low-carbon steel with minimal carbon, is commonly used for fencing, gates, and railings.

2. Medium Carbon Steel
   • Characteristics:
     • Stronger and more durable than low-carbon
     • Harder to form, weld, and cut, often requiring heat treatment to enhance its
     • Adding silicon and manganese improves machinability and
   • Applications:
     • Frequently used in structural components for buildings and
     • Essential for manufacturing axles, gears, shafts, rails, pipelines, and couplings.
     • Found in consumer products like cars, refrigerators, and washing machines.

3. High Carbon Steel (Carbon Tool Steel)
   • Characteristics:
     • Contains a higher carbon content, resulting in greater tensile
     • Difficult to cut, bend, or
     • When heat-treated, it becomes extremely hard but

• Applications:
  • Commonly used in cutting tools, blades, punches, dies, springs, and high-strength wire.

4. Ultra High Carbon Steel (Cast Iron)
   • Characteristics:
     • Extremely hard and brittle, making it unsuitable for cold-
     • Known for its superior hardness and wear
   • Applications:
     • Utilized in manufacturing blades, cutting tools, large machine parts, hot water radiators, industrial castings, and metal lamp posts.
     • Historically used in old-fashioned cooking pots, showcasing its durability and heat