News Choosing the Right Steel for Metal Fabrication Projects
Choosing the best steel plays a major role in metal fabrication. Both carbon steel and stainless steel have benefits and properties that make one more suitable than the other. Factors that should be considered when choosing the right steel include appearance, cost, corrosion resistance, and overall properties. In this guide, we offer a comparison between these two types of steel to help you choose the best option for your metal fabrication projects.
Which Steel is Best for Metal Fabrication?
Here are a few considerations when choosing steel for metal fabrication.
Stainless steel
This type of steel contains iron, carbon, nickle, a minimum of 10.5% chromium, and traces of other alloys. The addition of chromium is what makes this steel resistant to corrosion and rust, reacting with oxygen to create a protective layer over the metal. Stainless steel often has a glossy look, with various grades that increase the amount of chromium and give it a reflective finish. This type of steel can have a higher cost due to its additional alloy content. Properties are diverse, depending on the grade. Stainless steel can be more ductile compared to carbon steel due to its nickel content. Some grades may be more brittle, however.
Carbon steel
Carbon steel contains iron and carbon. Depending on the grade, steel with a higher carbon content is more likely to be hard and brittle, while those with a lower carbon content are more likely to be ductile and strong. As this steel does not have the addition of chromium, it is more susceptible to corrosion than stainless steel. The steel can be coated to prevent corrosion and protect the metal, however. Coating or painting can also increase the shine of this metal, which is typically duller than stainless steel. Carbon steel is often more affordable as it does not have a concentration of higher-priced alloys.
Ultimately, the steel type you choose will come down to your project requirements, budget and preferences. Both stainless steel and carbon steel can be used in a wide variety of projects using laser cutting and sheet metal fabrication systems from Bystronic.