Korkeahiilistä

Korkeahiilistä is a Finnish term that translates to "high-carbon" in English. It is primarily used in metallurgy and materials science to describe a type of steel characterized by a higher percentage of carbon content compared to low-carbon or medium-carbon steels. The exact carbon content that defines high-carbon steel can vary slightly depending on the specific classification system, but it generally ranges from approximately 0.60% to 1.70% by weight.

The increased carbon content in high-carbon steel significantly influences its properties. It leads to greater hardness, strength, and wear resistance. However, it also makes the steel more brittle and less ductile, meaning it is more prone to fracture under stress and harder to shape through processes like bending or forging. Due to its hardness, high-carbon steel is often heat-treated, undergoing processes like quenching and tempering, to achieve a desirable balance of hardness and toughness.

High-carbon steel finds application in a wide array of tools and components that require durability and edge retention. Common examples include cutting tools such as knives, saws, and chisels, as well as springs, files, and some types of wire. Its ability to hold a sharp edge and withstand significant wear makes it a preferred material for these demanding uses. The specific properties and applications can be further modified by the addition of other alloying elements.