What Are The Different Grades of Steel?

Steel is notably complicated due to its many properties and applications. Two comprehensive grading systems have been developed to accurately categorize a particular type, even within subgroups. These systems are standardized across industries so that material integrity can be insured. The two grading systems are:

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials): Alphanumeric classification that denotes the steel’s overall categorization and specific attributes.

SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers): Four-digit numerical classification that highlights steel type and carbon content along with the presence of other alloying elements.

You can find steel everywhere, materialized in different forms to suit various needs. It is an essential component of many building materials, home appliances, and even tools used to make other tools. By combining the right elements, an exact steel match is available for almost any application.

Conclusion

In 1967, the world made only 500 million tons of steel. However, in 2016, that number rose to over 1,600 million. In addition to that, according to The World Steel Association, 55% of a typical car’s weight is a result of steel. With this reality, it is hard to imagine a world without steel in it. With more than 3,500 different steel grades, the possibilities for its usage are seemingly endless for what it can do. From manufacturing, and fabrication, to CNC machining steel, each type has its perfect place and characteristics to accommodate just about every need.

In the end, the different steel properties stem from using different steel alloys and break down into the four types that we see today. If you're thinking about Steel we would suggest you buy the right type of Steel based on the properties suitable for your requirement.