Carbon content in plain words

Think of carbon as the spice in a steel recipe: a little changes the flavor, a lot changes the whole dish. Low carbon steel (≤0.25% C) stays soft and easy to shape. Medium carbon steel (≈0.25–0.60% C) balances strength and formability. High carbon steel (≈0.60–1.0%+ C) is hard and wear-resistant but less forgiving to bend or weld.

How properties shift with carbon

As carbon rises, strength and hardness go up — but ductility and weldability go down. Low carbon steel is great for deep drawing, auto panels, and construction parts that need forming. Medium carbon suits shafts, gears, and structural components after heat treatment. High carbon shines in cutting tools, springs, and wear parts where longevity matters more than ductility.

Choosing the right grade (practical tips)

Ask two questions: will the part be formed, and will it be loaded/wear-intensive? If you need shaping and welding, pick low carbon. If you need strength plus some formability, choose medium carbon and consider quench-temper processes. For hardness and edge retention, go high carbon — but budget for careful machining and heat treatment.

Dongte Steel — your grade-for-grade partner

At Dongte Steel, we help you match application to carbon grade and provide cut-to-size, certified coils and plates ready for production. We combine quality control with fast delivery, so you get the right steel without guesswork. Tell us your specs and we’ll recommend the best carbon range and processing route.

Carbon content is small but mighty — pick it deliberately, and your parts will perform exactly where it counts.

If you are interested in our carbon steel, please contact us!