Metals and alloys

When molten iron is reheated and more carbon is added, the resulting metal is plain carbon steel.

Stronger steel is produced by higher amounts of carbon.


Steel is made by either hot or cold rolled methods.

​Ferrous metals

CRS is formed below red hot temps. CRS has a smooth gray scale. CRS contains more internal stress than HRS.

CRS

HRS is formed to sized when it is red hot! HRS has a black outside scale. It can cause tool wear quicker if you do not first take away the black scale.

HRS

​​Ferrous metals

Low carbon steel

Low carbon steel contains about 0.05-0.3 percent carbon and can be formed easily.
Uses include body panels, frame components, and suspension components for the automotive industry.

​​Ferrous metals

Medium carbon steel

Medium carbon steel contains about 0.3-0.5 percent carbon and are not as easily bent or formed.
They are used in applications that require more strength but still need to be a little flexible.
Uses include crankshafts, camshafts, and axles for automobiles.

​​Ferrous metals

High carbon steel

High carbon steel contains about 0.5-1.5 percent carbon and are very hard and will more easily break than bend.

Uses include springs, knives, and cutting tools.

​​Ferrous metals

Steels that have other elements added to them are called alloy steels.

Alloy steel

An alloy is a metal that is a combination of 2 or more metals or metal and non metal element.

Alloy

​​Ferrous metals

Have countless applications, depending on their compositions.
Gears, axles, bicycle frames, and race car chasses are often machined from chromium-molybdenum (chrome-poly) steel. Drive shafts are machined from nickel-chromium-molybdenum steels.

​​Ferrous metals

Some alloying elements make the steel harder to machine.

In some cases, lead can be added to steel to make it easier to machine.

​​Ferrous metals

Tool steel refers to steels used to make tools that will bend, cut, form, or somehow "work" other metals.
They contain alloying elements that make them well suited for particular applications.
Cutting tools and drills are typically made from tool steel.
Tool steel is tougher to cut than plain carbon or alloy steels.

​​Ferrous metals

Aluminum alloys are a mixture of aluminum and other elements to produce certain characteristics.

Common elements include zinc, copper, and silicon.

It is widely used in aerospace industries for its lightweight.

​​Nonferrous metals

Titanium alloys are metals that are very lightweight, very strong, and very expensive.
It has the best strength-to-weight ratio of any metal.
Used for spacecraft, aircraft, and motorsport racing, as well as hip and knee replacements.
Titanium is very difficult to machine.

​​Nonferrous metals

Superalloys are exotic nickel-based metals that have been created for use in very harsh conditions. They are very strong and can resist high temperatures and are used in highly corrosive environments.

They are used in very specific purposes such as jet engines and fittings that carry hazardous chemicals.

​​Nonferrous metals