Steels

Steels can be largely grouped into three categories with respect to corrosion resistance. Carbon steels contain up to approximately 2% total alloying content with the primary additions of carbon, manganese, phosphorus and sulfur. The second group is the low alloy steels (or sometimes referred to as mild alloy steels) containing roughly 2 – 11% total alloying content. Corrosion resistance can be enhanced over carbon steels with additions of copper, nickel, chromium, silicon, and phosphorus. High corrosion resistant steels (stainless steels) can only be obtained with ≥ 11% Cr along with varying amounts of other elements.