Szénacélokat

Szénacélokat, commonly translated as carbon steels, are a broad category of steel alloys where carbon is the primary alloying element. The amount of carbon present in the steel significantly influences its properties, particularly its hardness, strength, and ductility. Generally, carbon steels are classified based on their carbon content into three main groups: low-carbon steels, medium-carbon steels, and high-carbon steels.

Low-carbon steels, also known as mild steels, contain less than 0.30% carbon. They are widely used due to their good ductility, weldability, and relatively low cost. Applications include structural components, automotive body parts, and pipes. Medium-carbon steels, with carbon content between 0.30% and 0.60%, offer a balance of strength and ductility. They can be heat-treated to improve their mechanical properties and are often used for gears, shafts, and connecting rods. High-carbon steels, containing more than 0.60% carbon, are very hard and strong but less ductile. They are used in applications requiring high wear resistance, such as cutting tools, springs, and high-strength wires.

The properties of carbon steels can be further modified through heat treatment processes like annealing, normalizing, quenching, and tempering. Alloying with other elements, even in small amounts, can also alter their characteristics. Despite the development of numerous alloy steels, carbon steels remain fundamental materials in numerous industries due to their versatility and cost-effectiveness.