What is a Carbon Steel Plate
A carbon steel plate(also known as carbon steel sheet) is a flat, rectangular sheet or slab manufactured primarily from carbon steel, an alloy composed of iron (Fe) and carbon (C), with trace amounts of other elements such as manganese, silicon, and copper. The carbon content typically ranges between 0.05% and 2.1% by weight, which directly influences the material’s mechanical properties, including strength, ductility, and weldability. Carbon steel plates are widely used across industries due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability to various fabrication processes.
Types of Carbon Steel Plates
- Based on carbon content
- Low Carbon Steel Plate(Mild Steel Plate): Contains up to 0.25% carbon. Known for excellent weldability and formability, it is commonly used in construction, automotive bodies, and machinery.
- Medium Carbon Steel Plate: Contains 0.25–0.6% carbon. Balances strength and ductility, often heat-treated for gears, axles, and structural components.
- High Carbon Steel Plate: Contains 0.6–2.1% carbon. Offers high hardness and wear resistance, used for cutting tools, springs, and high-strength wires.
- Based on manufacturing process
- Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Plate: Produced at high temperatures, offering cost-effectiveness and standard mechanical properties for construction frameworks or industrial equipment.
- Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Plate: Precision thickness (down to 0.2mm) with smooth surfaces, used in appliances and automotive panels.
- Based on special properties/applications
- Structural Carbon Steel Plate: ASTM A36 carbon steel plates for bridges, buildings, and heavy machinery.
- Case-Hardened Steel Plate: Surface-hardened via carburizing, enhancing wear resistance for gears and shafts.
- Alloyed Carbon Steel Plate: Combined with elements like chromium or manganese (e.g., Carbon-Containing Alloy Steel) to improve corrosion resistance or strength.
- Based on surface treatment
- Galvanized Carbon Steel Plate: Zinc-coated for corrosion protection in outdoor environments.
- Clad/Coated Plates: Laminated with polymers or stainless steel for specialized industrial uses.
What are the advantages of Carbon Steel Plates
High Durability & Structural Strength
With carbon content ≤2.1%, these plates withstand heavy loads and harsh conditions, making them ideal for industrial frameworks and pressure vessels.Cost-Effectiveness
Lower production costs compared to alloy steels, offering economic efficiency for large-scale projects like construction and machinery.Adaptable Processing
Suitable for hot-rolling (thick plates for structural use) and cold-rolling (thin, precision plates for appliances or automotive parts).Surface Treatment Compatibility
Enhanced corrosion resistance through galvanization (zinc coating) or cladding (e.g., stainless steel layers).Wide Application Range
Used in construction (beams, silos), energy (boilers), automotive components, and corrosion-resistant storage solutions.
What are the disadvantages of Carbon Steel Plates
Corrosion Susceptibility
Prone to rust in humid or corrosive environments without protective coatings (e.g., galvanizing).Weight
Higher density increases structural weight, limiting use in lightweight designs (e.g., aerospace).Brittleness at Low Temperatures
Reduced impact resistance in sub-zero conditions, risking fractures (e.g., Arctic pipelines).Welding Challenges
High-carbon grades (C >0.3%) may crack during welding without pre/post-heat treatments.Maintenance Costs
Requires regular inspections, coatings, or replacements in corrosive settings, raising long-term expenses.
How are Carbon Steel Plates made
- Raw Material Preparation
- Carbon steel plates begin with molten iron derived from iron ore, scrap steel, or a blast furnace. Carbon content is adjusted (typically between 0.05% and 2.1%) alongside small amounts of manganese, silicon, and impurities like sulfur and phosphorus. The molten steel is cast into slabs or billets for further processing.
- Hot-Rolling Process
- Heating: Slabs are heated to 1,100–1,300°C to soften the steel for deformation.
- Rolling: The heated slabs pass through a series of rollers to reduce thickness and achieve uniform dimensions. For example, ASTM A569 plates are hot-rolled to maintain structural integrity.
- Cooling: Plates are air-cooled or water-quenched to stabilize microstructure and mechanical properties.
- Cold-Rolling Process (Optional)
- Pickling: Hot-rolled plates are cleaned with acid to remove oxides.
- Rolling: Reduced thickness through high-pressure rollers, enhancing surface smoothness and dimensional accuracy.
- Annealing: Heat treatment to restore ductility and reduce brittleness.
- Surface Treatment
- Galvanizing: Zinc coating applied via hot-dip or electroplating for corrosion resistance.
- Coating/Cladding: Polymer coatings or stainless-steel lamination for specialized industrial uses.
What is Carbon Steel Plate used for
- Construction: Used in structural frameworks, beams, bridges, and reinforced concrete due to high strength and load-bearing capacity.
- Transportation: Shipbuilding (hulls, decks), railcars, truck chassis, and shipping containers (after corrosion-resistant treatments).
- Energy Sector: Boilers, pressure vessels, pipelines, and wind turbine components for durability under high pressure/temperature.
- Heavy Machinery: Manufacturing equipment, agricultural machinery, and mining tools requiring wear resistance.
- Industrial Storage: Tanks, silos, and reactors for storing liquids, gases, or bulk materials.
- Automotive: Axles, brackets, and chassis parts in heavy-duty vehicles.
- Defense: Armored vehicles and ballistic plates (high-strength grades).
- Consumer Goods: Cold-rolled thin plates for appliances, electronics, and precision tools with smooth finishes.
Our Carbon Steel Plates Material Grade and Specification
| Name | Carbon Steel Plates | |
| Thickness | 0.2 to 350 mm | 0.008” to 13.8” |
| Width | ≤4,100 mm | ≤14 ft |
| Length | ≤25,000 mm | ≤82 ft |
| Material Grade | Carbon Steel: A36, A283Gr. C/D, A285Gr. C, A515Gr. 55/60/65, S235JR, any other Alloy Steel: A299, A225Gr. A/B, A302Gr. B, A533Gr. A1, A204Gr. A/B, A387Gr. 2/12/22, A516Gr. 55/60/65/70, A515 Gr. 70, A537 CL.1, A387Gr. 11/12/22, A203 Gr. A/B, any other | |
For other customized requirements, please contact us.
What is the Carbon Steel Plate Price
Please contact our sales manager Allen@sanesteel.com
Why Choose Us
- a 16-year carbon steel plate supplier. We are experts.
- solutions for all your needs
- the highest product quality
- the low lead times
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