Typical compositions of carbon:
- Medium carbon steel: approximately 0.30–0.59% carbon content. Balances ductility and strength and has good wear resistance; used for large parts, forging and automotive components.
- High carbon steel: approximately 0.6–0.99% carbon content. Very strong, used for springs and high-strength wires.
Ultra high carbon steel: approximately 1.0–2.0% carbon content. Steels that can be tempered to great hardness. Used for special purposes like (non-industrial-purpose) knives, axles or punches. Most steels with more than 1.2% carbon content are made using powder metallurgy |