Carbon is a naturally abundant non-metallic element that occurs in many inorganic and in all organic compounds. Carbon is able to bond with many other elements to form commercially important materials.
Effects of Carbon in steel alloys
Carbon is the single most important alloying element in steel. The higher the carbon content of steel, the harder it becomes, up to a maximum of hardness at about 0.6% carbon. The steel materials used in mold and cavity materials are all carbon steels.
- (+) Increases tensile strength.
- (+) Increases hardness.
- (+) Increases hardenability.
- (-) Decreases ductability.
- (-) Decreases toughness.
Page 3 of 30