Special steel typically refers to steel that is formulated for specific applications and exhibits properties tailored to meet unique requirements.
There are various special steel grades, each designed for specific purposes. Here are some common types:
Tool Steel:
Examples: D2, A2, O1
Applications: Used for making tools, dies, and cutting instruments. It exhibits high hardness, wear resistance, and toughness.
Stainless Steel:
Examples: 304, 316, 430
Applications: Known for corrosion resistance, stainless steel is widely used in kitchen appliances, cutlery, medical devices, and construction.
High-Speed Steel (HSS):
Examples: M2, M35, T1
Applications: Designed for cutting tools like drills and saw blades, HSS maintains high hardness at elevated temperatures.
Examples: 4140, 4340, 8620
Applications: Alloy steel is a broad category used in various applications, offering enhanced properties like strength, hardness, and wear resistance.
Mold Steel:
Examples: P20, H13, S7, 1.2738 (40CrMnNiMo8-6-4), 1.2312 (40CrMnMoS8-6)
Applications: Used for making molds and dies in the plastic and metal forming industries, mold steel provides excellent hardness and wear resistance.
Maraging Steel:
Examples: 300, 350, 250
Applications: Known for its high strength and toughness, maraging steel is used in aerospace and high-performance applications.
Spring Steel:
Examples: 1075, 1095, 5160
Applications: Spring steel is characterized by its ability to return to its original shape after being deformed. Used in making springs and various elastic components.
Creep-Resistant Steel:
Examples: P91, P92
Applications: Designed for high-temperature applications, such as power plants, where resistance to creep (slow deformation under stress) is crucial.
Weathering Steel:
Examples: Corten A, Corten B
Applications: Used in outdoor structures like bridges and building facades, weathering steel forms a protective layer when exposed to the atmosphere, reducing corrosion.
Nitriding Steel:
Examples: 34CrAlNi7-10, 41CrAlMo7-10
Applications: Suitable for nitriding processes, which enhance surface hardness and wear resistance. Used in components subject to heavy wear.
Free-Cutting Steel:
Examples: 12L14, 1215
Applications: Designed for improved machinability, free-cutting steel is used in applications where ease of machining is critical.
These are just a few examples, and there are many more specialized steel grades tailored for specific applications and industries. Each grade has unique properties that make it suitable for particular uses.