Medium carbon steels are similar to low carbon steels except that the carbon ranges from 0.30 to 0.60% and the manganese from 0.60 to 1.65%. Increasing the carbon content to approximately 0.5% with an accompanying increase in manganese allows medium carbon steels to be used in the quenched and tempered condition.
abbreviations
- MCS - medium carbon steel
Metallurgy
Uses
- Carbon content 0.3-0.4%: lead screws, gears, worms, spindles, shafts, gears, crankshafts, couplings, forgings and machine parts.
- Carbon content 0.4-0.5%: crankshafts, gears, axles, mandrels, tool shanks, and heat treated machine parts. Rails, railway wheels and rail axles may be included in this category.
- Carbon content 0.6-0.7: may be called ‚allow carbon tool steel and is used where a keen edge is not necessary, but where shock strength is wanted. Drop hammers dies, set screws, screwdrivers, and arbors.
- Carbon content 0.7-0.8: tough and hard steel. Anvil faces, band saws, hammers, wrenches, cable wire, etc.
