Standards and specification of mild steel

Hi,

This is rather an open-ended question. I would suggest that a good starting point would be to obtain some internationally recognised standards, such as ASME/ANSI or BSEN, select a suitable material for your needs, and insist - through a QA system - that your supplier adheres to them. You should then start to see some consistent results.

Drew

There's a universe of standards according the country and the region of the world you are. If you are supposed to produce steel or would like to use one and need to know exactly its composition, check your regional standard codes and/or the manufacture specs. If - in a more common concern - you are interested in discovering a cross reference between standards, I'd recommend a publication called "Key to Steel", that has most of the steel alloys described and cross referenced, from USA to Japan, including all Europe. Maybe you'll find it in a university library near you for consulting.

But, more important regarding mild steel: this is not a high strengh material, and is very dependent upon the manufacture process (i.e., typically, the amount of cold forming and/or forging and/or heat treating for stress relief) they come from. Are you using the same grade spec , not talking about the chemical composition itself?

Unless your application works with a minimum yield strength of 30,000 psi, I would get a book from your local steel warehouse and spec in an appropriate grade of steel that will guarantee the minimum properties you need.

for a start you can try ASTM A36, the most common mild steel. Depends on your industry, there is various type of mild steel for different application, tell us what you plan to use the steel for may give us an idea on what kind of steel you should used.

Hi Jim

I use "MILD STEEL" quite often. "Sinks in Water" spec!

Mild steel is the general term for grading steel that does not conform to the usual standards. ie 50W is weldable, and the carbon content is one important factor for it's meldability that can only be so high. Some mild steel may also be subgraded as a "Carbon Max 33". I believe this means they are saying at least the carbon content will not exceed 0.33%. Which I guess may bring it into a "weldable" catagory.

Depending on who your vendor is, you should be able to get the mill chemical analysis of the steel, even if it hasn't been graded. From that point take a look at the compositions and look at the material, and take a look at how it will be used.

If it's a lifting device or some sort of critical component I would go with a graded product. The cost difference usually isn't that great.

Good Luck,

Keith

find out what type of 'mild steel' your supplier gives u, the specific grade. Then goto matweb.com type in the grade/type. It'll give u all the info about the material.

Steel suppliers use standards as a "minimum" spec requirement. So, the "lot" of steel they are selling will meet A36, but it also might meet the standards for other grades of steel. To my knowledge, there is not a standard for "mild steel". So, the supplier will furnish whatever is cheapest (usually on hand, leftover from some larger order) to clear his shelves. So you mild steel might be A36, something stronger, or something that meets no standard.

Suggest you determine what steel requirements you need; tell the supplier those requirements and he'll suggest a material. Or consult a good materials engineer/specifier.

As you indicate, most steel manufacturers will look at off-grade heats of steel and sell it to a different standard so that it will meet the "minimum" specification; however, what is purchased from a given manufacturer may be substantially different while still meeting the spec.

Oh yeah, people here have showed an important point of view: what do you need? If you need further material control, it is strongly recommended that you narrow your own spec prior to contacting your suppliers. But, if even the most ordinary steel you received met your needs, why worry? Pick the cheaper one...