Mild steel is one of the most widely used metals in the world, and for good reason. Its unique combination of strength, durability, and versatility make it an ideal material for a vast array of applications. If you have ever been around any construction site, you must be fascinated by looking at the curves and designs that are under-construction. Most of these designs are built with mild steel. Now you must be thinking that what is a mild steel!
Mild steel is a kind of carbon steel, which contains a low proportion of carbon. It is versatile, thus used in various industries. In this article, we will go through a complete guide on how and where the mild steel can be used. So let’s get started and discover the incredible versatility of mild steel!
What Actually is Mild Steel?
Another name for mild steel is low-carbon steel. In this modern era, it is a fundamental building block and used in different industries. Mild steel is a type of carbon steel and it contains low content of carbon. It is categorized under the AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) system.
It is ductile and malleable and relatively has a low tensile strength. It is affordable and versatile making it one of the most used forms of steel. There are different types of mild steel:
| CLASSIFICATION | CARBON CONTENT |
| AISI 1008 | Less than 0.1 |
| AISI 1010 | 0.08-0.13 |
| AISI 1015 | 0.13-0.18 |
| AISI 1018 | 0.14-0.2 |
| AISI 1020 | 0.17-0.23 |
| S275 | 0.18 |
| S355 | 0.2 |
Making of Mild Steel
The first process in making mild steel is extraction of iron ore and coal. Both iron ore and coal are then melted together, which produces hot molten. This hot molten is called pig iron. The next step is refining where carbon content is reduced from the pig iron. After all this, impurities are burnt and final adjustments are done.
The final shape is of shaping where solidified mild steel is rolled and shaped into desirable size and shape through cold drawing and hot rolling.
Properties of Mild Steel
The physical properties of mild steel are ductile. Due to low carbon components, it has low toughness and can be shaped without any breakage. It has high amounts of ferrite and iron which also makes it magnetic. The ductile nature of mild steel makes it a good choice for welding and also, it is malleable. Making of mild steel only needs a few ingredients and resources which also reduces its price in comparison to other steel alloys and makes it affordable with all these properties.
The carbon content in mild steel is somewhere between 0.25% to 0.45%. It also may contain elements like phosphorus, Sulphur, Cobalt, Manganese and Chromium. Its density is approximately around 7870 kg/m3.
Different Uses Of Mild Steel
Mild steel is used in various industries because of its affordability and qualities like ductility, weldability etc. Here is the list of uses of mild steel.
1. In Construction
Due to its valuable features, mild steel is widely used in construction works. It has a high strength making it an ideal choice for building frames and columns. It is highly flexible and can be bent without cracking. It is ductile which makes it a suitable choice for different applications. It is an affordable steel and easy to manufacture. A few common applications of mild steel include making of gates and fencing, fasteners, bolts, outdoor structures and many others.
2. For Making Cookware
Mild steel is used to make non-stick cookware. It retains heat well and thus helps in cooking the food evenly. It is suitable for different kitchen activities like boiling, baking etc.Though stainless steel is popular in cookware, mild steel provides a good range of options on budget without compromising on the durability. However, it is not as corrosion-resistant as stainless steel. It is also very easy to clean mild steel cookware items.
3. In Automotive Industry
Mild steel is used in making body panels, suspension parts, frames etc. of automobiles. For example, lids, doors, steering knuckles, control arms, rocker panels, side rails, shafts, gears, bearing etc. Mild steel is widely used in automobile industries due to its exceptional properties like ductility, machinability etc. It is the least expensive steel alloy as compared to others. It is versatile and also consumes less energy which makes it an environment-friendly choice.
4. In Pipeline Construction
Due to its properties like durability and corrosion-resistant, mild steel is used in making pipes that are used in transmission of different gasses. It is used in making underground pipes, in water transportation, in making storage tanks and many more things. Its durability, strength and ability of corrosion resistance makes it a good choice for making pipelines.
5. In Making Machineries and Tools
Mild steel is durable, and versatile. Along with other things it is also used in making tools and machineries. Its strength makes it an ideal choice for making tools. It is used in making machine elements, parts of automobiles, industrial equipment and many other things as well.
6. In Medical Equipment
Even though stainless steel is preferred in making medical equipment, mild steel equipment is also used widely because it is affordable. It is used in making various things like frames of medical equipment, furniture, machinery parts etc. It is used in making X-ray machines, MRI machines because of its strength. Other parts like welding tables, fixtures, platens, gears etc., are also made with mild steel.
7. In Furniture Making
Mild steel’s properties like its strength, and cost-effectiveness makes it a fancy choice for making furniture. It helps in making structure and frame of the furniture like table, sofa etc. It is used in the legs of furniture. It is also used in making hardware tools like screws, hinges and other important parts. Mild steel is also used in making attractive showpieces and decorative items.
8. In General Engineering
In general engineering mild steel is used making structural components like columns, frames, chassis for machineries, culverts, outdoor structures and sheds. It is also used in making fasteners, bolts, hydraulic and pneumatic parts, gear boxes, cylinders, casting dies and the list goes on.
9. In Making Fishing Gears
Even though it’s not a preferred choice still, mild steel can be used in making fishing gears. It can be used in making fishing mesh and nets. It can also be used in making fishing lures and hooks.
10. In Aerospace
Mild Steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is also very affordable which is why it is widely used in the aerospace industry. Some uses of mild steel in the aerospace industry include making structural components, engine parts, fasteners, landing gears etc. For example, frames, stringers, legs, engine blocks, cylinder heads, bolts, nuts, struts, brackets etc.
11. In Consumer Goods
Mild steel is not just used in constructions and infrastructure but also in our daily life. It is used in making household items like utensils, especially non-stick utensils. It is used in making home décor items. In making furniture. It is also used in making electrical appliances like wires and cables.
Conclusion
Mild steel is a unique blend of versatility, strength, affordability and many other exceptional qualities. It holds one of the most important parts in the industrial field. Its durability and cost-effectiveness make it an ideal choice in different fields like aerospace, general engineering, cookware etc. From industrial machineries to home-décor items it is a cornerstone material. It has an undeniably very important role in the construction industry.