CARBON STEEL

The more the welder knows about steel , the more valuable he/she is in the welding field. Working with metals, the welder must be versatile and eager to learn as the field progresses. With the advent of automatic and semiautomatic welding comes the pressure on the welder to become more skilled and educated. By examining the materials in the world of metals. The world of metal and metal processes become more familiar and useful. You have to learn the different types of metal and what you are welding on . For instance... don't make the mistake of welding on aluminum and it is steel :o or weld stainless and it is also steel ;o !!

Carbon steel that has had other types of metal added to it to improve it properties is called an alloy steel. Increased strength and hardness are the usual properties desired. Retention of the metal's properties at elevated temperatures and improvement of the metal's resistance to corosion are also desireable qualities. Elements added to steel for alloying are

* CHRONIUM * NICKEL * MAGNESIUM * VANADIUM * MOLYBDENUM * SILICON * TUNGSTEN * PHOSPHORUS * COPPER * ZIRCONIUM * TITANIUM * COBALT * COLUMBIUM * ALUMINUM

These elements form two groups. The first group forms a solid solution in which the element dissolves in iron. Silicon, maganese, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten, and chronium increase the hardness and strength by strengthening the iron base of the alloy. The second group forms complex carbides when cooled slowly. These carbides precipitate out of a solid solution and are scattered throughout the metal. Chronium, manganese, vanadium, tungsten, titanium, columbium, and molybdenum are carbides of deep hardening. They increase wear resistence and the ability to withstand heat. Carbides are possible only when the base meatal has sufficient carbon in the metal to form alloy carbides.

High-carbon steel has a carbon content ranging from 0.60 to 1.50 percent. It is very strong and hard. Such articles as railroad equipment, auto and truck parts, and farm machinery are made from high-carbon steel. Parts such as springs, grinding balls, bars, hammers cables, axes and wrenches are also produced from high carbon steel with a content of 0.60 to 0.95 percent carbon. This grade of steel has great hardness, toughness, and strength.