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Mild steel contains roughly 0.05% to 0.25% carbon content. The low carbon content of mild steel offers a unique combination of ductility, malleability, and weldability, allowing it to be used within construction, automotive, manufacturing, and many other industries that require ease of use and affordability for a range of applications. Mild steel can be identified by its AISI/SAE classification codes that begin with 10 and in a number less than 20.
Differentiating Mild Steel vs Carbon Steel
Mild steel and carbon steel are very closely related. In fact, low carbon mild steel is a grade of carbon steel that provides its specific uses and applications depending on the desired properties of the final product. Mild and carbon steel offers enhanced strength and cost-effectiveness for various commercial and industrial applications worldwide.Mild Steel Chemical Composition
Due to its low carbon content, mild steel has a lower tensile strength than high carbon steel, but it is much easier to shape, weld, and cut. These properties make it ideal for applications where high strength is a secondary factor to workability. Mild steel’s chemical composition includes:- Carbon: 0.05% - 0.25%
- Manganese: Up to 0.4%
- Silicon: Up to 0.03%
- Copper: Up to 0.4%
Mild Steel Properties
The beneficial properties of mild steel are influenced by its unique chemical composition and low carbon content. Mild steel’s most useful properties include:Ductility & Malleability
Since mild steel is softer than other steel types, it can be easily shaped and formed without breaking or cracking, allowing it to be used for sheet metal fabrication and structural shape applications.Weldability
Mild steel’s low carbon content allows it to be welded without cracking. Mild steel can be used for most welding applications, including MIG, TIG, and arc welding. Due to its excellent weldability, mild steel is often used in structural and manufacturing applications.High Impact Strength
Although it does not exhibit the high tensile strength of high-carbon or alloy steels, mild steel does provide excellent toughness and impact strength, making it resistant to deformations and sudden shocks.Cost Effective
Mild steel provides a low-cost alternative to many other steel types, which allows it to be used at scale for larger manufacturing and industrial projects.Magnetic
Mild steel’s ferromagnetic properties allow the metal to be magnetized, making it highly useful in metal applications that utilize electrical currents, such as motors and transformers.Mild Steel Applications
Mild steel provides a bevy of unique properties allowing it to be used for numerous applications within various industries. Typical industries and applications that utilize mild steel include:Construction
- Buildings
- Bridges
- Pipelines
Automotive
- Body panels
- Chassis
- Frames
Manufacturing
- Frames
- Brackets
- Machinery parts
Appliances
- Stoves
- Microwave ovens
- Refrigerators
Décor
- Ornamental ironwork
- Gates
- Fences
- Furniture
Mild Steel Surface Treatments
While mild steel is versatile, surface treatments often enhance the metal’s characteristics. Common mild surface treatments include:- Hot-dip galvanization
- Painting
- Electroplating
- Chemical treatments
- Powder coating
IMS Offers Mild Steel in Various Formats
Looking for a specific mild steel type to meet your application needs? IMS has you covered! We stock the following mild steel options:IMS is Your Locally Trusted Metal Supply Company
With seven locations serving California, Arizona, Nevada, and Northern Mexico, IMS is a full-service metal supplier that understands your needs. Our inventory of metal products includes a broad range of metal shapes and an extensive selection of alloys. At IMS, we offer the following advantages:- Same-day will-call pick-up
- Next-day local delivery
- Excellent high-volume discount pricing
- Custom cut-to-size metal production
- ISO 9001 certified
- Support of Just-In-Time manufacturing processes
- No minimum purchases
