Stainless steel or carbon steel? It is a question for many plants, engineers, designers, and other industry workers. Stainless steel pipes and carbon steel pipes are both good choices for a variety of applications. It’s hard to know which one is the best choice. Today, we will make an introduction about their differences. By getting down to the basics of what steel is and how it’s used, you will be able to better determine which one will fit your needs.

As we all know that steel is a metal, and it has many uses. However, even if you work with steel every day, it is possible that you wondered what steel actually is. What is it made of? What makes steel different from other metals? And why are there so many types of steel?

What Is Steel?

Steel is a kind of alloy. An alloy is two or more kinds of natural metals that are melded together to make new, unique metal. When we talk about steel, we are talking about a kind of metal alloy that is a mixture of iron and at least one other metal.

Many types of steel have several metals in the mix, though how much is in there (that is, the concentration) may differ. Steels are classified by what kind of metals are in it and what kind of properties it has.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is basic steel that is a combination of iron and carbon. It may contain other substances in trace or unmeasured amounts. Carbon steel is classified by how much carbon content is mixed in with iron. Low-to-mid carbon steel will have less than 0.3% carbon, while a high carbon would contain up to 2%. Carbon steel is known for its strength and its ability to withstand very high temperatures.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is created by adding chromium to the alloy. While basic carbon steel may only contain up to 2% carbon, stainless steel has at least 10% chromium content. As with carbon steel, other elements may be present in stainless steel in unmeasured amounts. The most significant characteristic of stainless steel is that it doesn’t rust or corrode. Anti-corrosion is a unique property of stainless steel. Steel is mostly made of iron and iron tends to rust very quickly.

Considerations for Steel Pipes

If you are going to make a decision between stainless steel and carbon steel for your pipes, there are several factors to consider.

Substance

What is going on in your pipes? What are they being created to carry? This is the first deal-breaking factor when deciding on a metal. Will it be carrying something corrosive, like chemicals or saltwater? If so, you will want a metal that will not react as readily. This will usually mean choosing stainless steel pipes but double-check the properties of the material you are working with to see what it reacts with.

Temperature

Will your pipes be exposed to extreme temperatures? Carbon steel pipes are known for their ability to withstand high heat and are good for things like steam pipes. However, if you are working with extreme cold—for example, transporting cryogenic liquids—a different grade of pipe will be necessary.

Cost

Fortunately, both stainless steel and carbon steel can be very affordable. Carbon steel pipe is frequently ranked as the least expensive steel for piping, but stainless steel pipe is also usually right behind. This is good news, allowing you to choose the material that best fits the project without having to make significant cost considerations.

Appearance

If your pipes will be visible and appearance is a consideration for you, knowing the finish of these steels will help. Stainless steel usually has a shine to it and holds up if exposed to weather and other elements. Carbon steel is darker and has a matte finish look. This may also start to corrode if exposed, deteriorating in appearance.