Mild steel is the commercial name for low carbon steel. Mild steel contains about 0.04% to 0.3% carbon. It is a ferrous metal made from iron ore and an allotrope of carbon called coal. Mild steel comes in different grades, but any steel with more than 0.3% carbon is medium or high carbon steel. It is soft, cheap, ductile, and easy to weld. Other elements are usually added to improve its properties, such as tensile strength and corrosion resistance.

How is mild steel made?

It is made using a blast furnace. Iron ore and coal are mined from the ground as the main raw materials. They are then placed in a blast furnace and heated, and similar materials are added as fluxes for both materials. After melting, impurities are removed, and then other alloying elements are added. The mild steel is then poured into a mold to be formed and solidified. This step is called the casting process. Mild steel sheets are cut into the desired size and shape, such as plates and billets. Secondary forming processes such as cold rolling and coating give it its final shape and properties. Since the main property of mild steel is iron, it is susceptible to rusting due to corrosion. Mild steel is often coated with another element, such as chromium or titanium, but more commonly zinc, to prevent this.

Physical properties of mild steel

• Ductility: Mild steel can be deformed and reshaped without losing its hardness, which makes it durable, economical, and reusable.

• Magnetic properties: Mild steel is magnetic due to the large amount of iron in it.

• Machinability: This is because of the low carbon content in mild steel. The lower the carbon content, the more malleable it is, because carbon acts as a barrier to dislocation movement. The ductility of mild steel makes it weldable and suitable for various steel manufacturing processes.

Chemical properties of mild steel

More importantly, the chemical properties of mild steel affect how often it is used in daily life and industrial purposes. By adding some alloying elements, its physical and chemical properties can be improved. Oxidation is one of these properties. Mild steel easily oxidizes when exposed to the environment, so it is usually further coated with elements such as chromium to prevent rust. Rusting destroys the steel. Chromium is a common alloy used to coat mild steel because it reacts with oxygen in the air to form chromium oxide. Chromium oxide prevents the steel from further corrosion.

Uses of Mild Steel

Mild steel is used to manufacture products in many industries and markets. It is one of the most commonly used types of steel. It is used in building construction, pipeline construction, automotive and machinery manufacturing, gate control and fencing, and cookware. From our daily lives to industrial uses, mild steel is used.

What is the Difference Between Steel and Mild Steel?