Low Carbon Steel

Low carbon steels contain up to 0.30% Carbon (C). The largest category of this class of steel is flat-rolled products (sheet or strip), usually in the cold-rolled and annealed condition. The carbon content for these high-formability steels is very low, less than 0.10% C, with up to 0.4% manganese (Mn).  These steels posses the best weldability of the other types of carbon steels.  Of the other carbon steels, low carbon steel has the lowest cost.  

abbreviations

• LCS - low carbon steel

Metallurgy

The grain structure of low carbon steel is usually ferrite and pearlite, and the material is generally used as it comes from the hot forming or cold forming processes. Lacks hardenability because carbon content helps this.

Uses

• Carbon Content 0.1%-0.2%: chain, stampings, rivets, nails, wire, pipe, and where very soft, plastic steel is needed.
• Carbon Content 0.2-0.30%: structural steels, machine parts, soft and tough steels.