What is the difference between carbon steel and stainless steel


1. Different densities

The density of carbon steel is slightly higher than that of ferritic and martensitic stainless steel, but it is lower for austenitic stainless steel, so the difference between carbon steel and stainless steel is different.

2. Resistance difference

It can be said that the resistivity increases in the order of carbon steel, ferrite, martensite and austenitic stainless steel, so the resistance of carbon steel and stainless steel is different.

3. Different linear expansion coefficients

The size and order of the linear expansion coefficient are arranged in the order of austenitic stainless steel being the highest and carbon steel being the smallest, so the linear expansion coefficient between the two is different.

4. Different magnetic properties

The martensite produced by cold work hardening will produce certain magnetism during transformation. At this point, heat treatment can be used to eliminate this martensitic structure and restore non magnetic properties. Austenitic stainless steel is non magnetic, while carbon steel, ferrite, and martensitic stainless steel are magnetic.

5. Different ingredients

Stainless steel belongs to weakly corrosive media such as air, steam, and water, and contains certain chemicals such as acids, alkalis, and salts; Carbon steel is an iron carbon alloy with a carbon content ranging from 0.0218% to 2.11%, which contains a certain amount of silicon, manganese, sulfur, and phosphorus.