Mild steel is a metal that is made from alloy and carbon. The amount of carbon in mild steel is low, varying from 0.5 to 0.25. It is affordable and is used in mechanical engineering applications for parts that will not be subject to high stress. Different grades of mild steel include EN1A (also known as 230M07PD) and EN3B (also known as 080A15). Both grades are useful in their own way depending on the application.
EN1A is most suitable for free cutting. It has increased straightness and a cleaner finish. It is also cold drawn which means the Steel can be brought closer to the finished machine size, providing reductions in machining costs. EN1A is often used for:
- Brake pistons, wheel nuts, and inserts
- Brake hose ends, hydraulic parts
- Control linkages, low-stress hubs, shafts, casings, and handles
- Padlock vice jaws, shackles
- Nuts, studs, and bolts
- Gearbox components
EN3B grade is used for welding and can be used in more engineering applications. It is more suitable for low stress and where heat treatment isn’t involved. EN3B is used for:
- Shafts and rollers
- Machinery parts
- Spindles and axles
- Engineering applications
- Bushings and bolts
- Brackets, linkages, and base plates
The three types of tool steel we sell at Steel Products Direct are D2, 01 and H13.
D2 is a high carbon, high chromium, molybdenum, vanadium air hardening tool steel that offers increased resistance against abrasive wear due to a high volume of hard carbides in the steel. D2 tool steel hardens in air with a low order of movement and offers a measure of corrosion resistance when polished. Commonly used for tools operating under conditions of severe wear and abrasion or as an alternative to oil hardening tool steel grades when long runs are required.
Features of D2 include:
- Water Resistant
- Heat Treatable
- High resistance against abrasive wear
- Good dimension stability
- High toughness and strength
- Good general purpose tool steel
Due to D2’s high toughness and strength, this makes it perfect for burnishing, centres and use in cold weather. It’s abrasion resit makes it suitable for wire drawing and its edge and abrasion good for shaving and wire glass slitting.
Size Range: 10mm to 600mm+
01 steel is a cold, hardening steel that offers good durability and is a good general purpose tool steel. 01 steel can be hardened in oil and is wear resistance.
It’s stability and precise size controls make it good for use in straight edges, stripper plates, spindles, and cams. O1 tool steel offers good durability, is also excellent wear resistance, and holds a good cutting edge. These properties make it an excellent general purpose tool steel that can often be used where the expense of a high carbon high chromium tool steel would not be justified.
Features of 01 include:
- Hardened in oil
- Better at avoiding cracking
- Can be manipulated to change size easily
- Wear-resistance
- Low-end with high carbon and manganese
Overall steel can be complicated due its different types, properties and applications but having a better understanding of steel helps to make an exact match for the application.