The particular composition of mild steel means that it has specific properties, which makes it ideally suited to certain types of projects which require steel fabrication.

Physical Properties of Mild Steel:

The combination of materials that create low carbon steel gives the metal particular qualities that make it suitable for a variety of industrial projects and also make it a popular type of steel for steel fabrication companies to work with.

Chemical Properties of Mild Steel:

The simplicity of low carbon steel means it has few alloying elements included in its composition, resulting in less tensile strength than other steels. Still, these alloying elements can be added to improve the chemical properties of the material if required.

You will often find substances like chromium, cobalt, phosphorus, sulphur, and manganese – the choice of which depends on the specifics of your need for the steel. A principal reason for other chemical properties to be required is a desire for corrosion resistance.

Steel is prone to oxidising if not prepared accordingly, resulting in rust that damages (and eventually destroys) the steel. Without the addition of any additional elements, mild steel will suffer the same fate. Chromium is a popular addition to low carbon steel due to its reaction to exposure to the atmosphere, resulting in a layer of chromium oxide that protects the steel underneath from further corrosion.