To anyone who is new to the world of steel it can be quite difficult to really know the difference between the types of steel out there. In the engineering industry steels often fit into 1 of 2 categories, either Carbon or Stainless. In this blog we are going to help you know the exact differences between these different types of steel.

Carbon Steel
The clue is in the name with Carbon Steel, Carbon is the main alloying element used in this form of steel. In Carbon Steel, the properties are mainly defined by the amount of Carbon it has. Depending on how you intend to use the steel, you can find different Carbon Steels with varying levels of hardness, ductility and tensile strength. With the high carbon content, it has a much lower melting point making it ideal for crafting into different shapes. In terms of looks, Carbon steel is dull, with a matte finish that is comparable to a cast iron pot. Here at Steel Delivery we offer Carbon Steels such as Silver Steel and Keysteel.

Stainless Steel
Whilst less ductile, Stainless Steel is known for being well protected against the risks of corrosion and staining. The steel is this way due to high Chromium content that forms an invisible protective layer. One of the most obvious difference between Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel are their appearances. Stainless Steel can look shiny, in fact at times as reflective as a mirror. For this reason, it is often used for decorative purposes in construction.

As previously mentioned, we offer a range of steels for engineering purposes. Our steel products include Ground Flat Stock, Keysteel, Silver Steel and Shim Steel. For more information on what we can offer you here at Steel Delivery give us a call on 0333 242 5189 or visit www.steeldelivery.co.uk