What Is Carbon Steel for Machine Structural Use?
Carbon Steel for Machine Structural Use, commonly known as SC material (Steel-Carbon), is extensively used for machine parts, automobile transmissions, bolts, nuts, drill chucks, wrench tools, and more.
Spanning 23 types from S10C to S58C, the carbon content is indicated by the middle number, multiplied by 100%. Higher carbon content results in greater strength but reduced toughness. For instance, S30C is a popular choice, offering lower hardness and ease of machining compared to alloy steels.
Uses of Carbon Steel for Machine Structural Use
SC material is ideal for parts requiring machining before heat treatment. It’s widely used in mechanical components like pulleys, brackets, gears, and tools. However, due to changes in properties with heat, it’s not suitable for heat-intensive welding processes.
Types of Carbon Steel for Machine Structural Use
SC steel has a carbon content ranging from 0.08 to 0.6%. Steels with higher carbon content are classified as SK steel. S30C and above are generally used for high-strength parts. SC material has a pearlite and ferrite metallic structure at room temperature, with the pearlite proportion increasing with carbon content. The metallographic structure, particularly the percentage of pearlite, can indicate the carbon content of the steel.