Difference between Carbon Steel and Mild Steel

Generally speaking, steel is called “carbon steel” when the main alloying ingredient used is carbon and no other element requirements are specified; i.e. chromium, cobalt, nickel. Carbon steel can be divided into two major categories, high carbon steel and mild steel. As the name implies, high carbon steel contains a higher amount of carbon, while mild steel contains a lower percentage of carbon. Mild steel is a form of low carbon steel. The main difference between carbon steel and mild steel is that carbon steel has a higher carbon content whereas mild steel has a relatively lower carbon content.

What is Carbon Steel
Typically, carbon steel contains about 0.05-1.70% carbon by weight. Increasing the carbon content in steel gives it additional strength and is also considered the most economical way to increase the strength of steel. However, due to the addition of more carbon, steel also tends to become brittle and less ductile. Therefore, the right balance of carbon must be added to obtain a steel with excellent properties. High carbon steel has a carbon content between 0.3-1.70%, and mild steel has a carbon content of 0.05-0.15%. Mild steel is the most commonly used steel today due to its relatively low manufacturing price.

High carbon steel can be heat treated better than mild steel, making it very useful in many applications. Other elemental impurities can also give the steel rather interesting properties; namely sulfur. Some common applications of high carbon steel include: rail steel, prestressed concrete, wire rope, tire reinforcement, knives, saw blades, gears, chains, etc.

What is Mild Steel
Mild carbon steel is the lowest carbon type of carbon steel, with a relatively low carbon content. Mild steel can also contain other elements such as manganese, silicon, and trace amounts of phosphorus. These additional elements protect the integrity of the metallic iron structure by preventing dislocations within the iron crystals. Carbon acts as a hardener, and the percentage of carbon added is directly proportional to the strength of the steel; the strength of the steel generally increases with the amount of carbon added.

Mild steel is the most widely used steel, used in 85% of steel products in the United States alone. It has become a popular form of iron due to its desirable properties such as ductility, strength, and economical price. Mild steel is often used to produce wire, steel plates, and other construction materials.

Difference between Carbon Steel and Mild Steel
Definition
Generally speaking, carbon steel has a higher carbon content.

Mild steel has a relatively lower carbon content.

Carbon Content
Carbon steel has a carbon percentage range of 0.05-1.70% by weight.

Mild steel has a carbon content of 0.05-0.25% by weight.

Price
Carbon steel is more expensive.

Mild steel is cheaper

Characteristics
Carbon steel is stronger than mild steel. It is also brittle and breaks easily compared to mild steel.

Mild steel can be easily welded into different shapes due to its softer and weaker nature.

Heat Treatment
Carbon steel can be successfully heat treated.

Mild steel cannot be successfully heat treated.