Carbon Steel can be segregated into three main categories: Low carbon steel (sometimes known as mild steel); Medium carbon steel; and High carbon steel.
Low Carbon Steel (Mild Steel)
Typically contain 0.04% to 0.30% carbon content. This is one of the largest groups of Carbon Steel. It covers a great diversity of shapes; from Flat Sheet to Structural Beam. Depending on the desired properties needed, other elements are added or increased. For example: Drawing Quality (DQ) – The carbon level is kept low and Aluminum is added, and for Structural Steel the carbon level is higher and the manganese content is increased.
Example applications include food handling/processing, medical instruments, hardware, appliances, and structural/architectural uses
Medium Carbon Steel
Typically has a carbon range of 0.31% to 0.60%, and a manganese content ranging from .060% to 1.65%. This product is stronger than low carbon steel, and it is more difficult to form, weld and cut. Medium carbon steels are quite often hardened and tempered using heat treatment.
High Carbon Steel:
Commonly known as “carbon tool steel” it typically has a carbon range between 0.61% and 1.50%. High carbon steel is very difficult to cut, bend and weld. Once heat treated it becomes extremely hard and brittle.
| Name | Class | Alloy Type |
| ASTM A109 Temper 1 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A109 Temper 2 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A109 Temper 3 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A109 Temper 4 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A109 Temper 5 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A284 Grade A | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A284 Grade B | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A284 Grade C | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A284 Grade D | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A285 Grade A | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A285 Grade B | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A285 Grade C | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A288 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A366 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A414 Grade A | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A414 Grade B | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A414 Grade C | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A414 Grade D | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A414 Grade E | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A414 Grade F | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A414 Grade G | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A442 Grade 55 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A442 Grade 60 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A455 Type I | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A455 Type II | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A515 Grade 55 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A515 Grade 60 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A515 Grade 65 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A515 Grade 70 | Carbon steel | |
| ASTM A516 Grade 55 | Carbon steel |
