Mild Steel Vs. Stainless Steel: Which Is Better? Find It Out Now
January 16, 2023
The industrial world has caused the evolution of an integral, classified and essential material known as steel. This material is produced as much as 1.3 billion tons a year and is widely used for construction purposes and architectural fabrications. Pre-engineered building manufacturers in India choose the steel type depending on the quality, the characteristics and the way it is built.
The sub-categories of steel are divided into types based on their strength, ductility, hardness, aesthetics and cost. Choosing the right steel type can often affect the quality of the project and the cost. Among these categories, the two steel types are stainless steel and mild steel. Mild steel contains the least amount of carbon which makes it easy to use and among the most used steel types. Stainless steel on the other hand has qualities that make it corrosion-resistant.
Mild Steel Vs. Stainless Steel: Which is preferred by pre-engineered building manufacturers in India?
Before one can move to the difference between mild steel and stainless steel, it is important to understand their composition first.
Mild steel: Properties and Composition
This steel type is composed of iron and carbon as its major components. It contains a minimum of 0.03%-0.25% of carbon which is very less compared to normal steel. Due to this, mild steel is also named ‘low-carbon steel’.
Having a low carbon content indicates that the ductility of the material is increased which makes it wieldable and machinable. This ductility refers to the ability of a solid material to change its form just by applying a little bit of pressure. The other components of mild steel include silicon, manganese, etc. Due to the high amount of iron content present in the material, it is considered ferromagnetic by steel dealers in India.
Stainless steel: Properties and Composition
Manufactured by the best steel companies in India, stainless steel is composed of iron and chromium. This metal alloy has 10% chromium mixed with iron, molybdenum, titanium, copper and nickel.
The reason for adding chromium into the mixture is to prevent it from getting corroded. Unlike other steel types, stainless steel has the property of anti-corrosion. Steel companies in India use chromium as an oxidizing layer over steel so that it can have something known as a ‘passive layer’. However, it might get corroded in case it is exposed to highly concentrated salt water. Further, this steel type also provides a shiny appearance and can make steel products look attractive.
Difference between Mild Steel and Stainless Steel
Both these steel types are in great demand among steel dealers in India. The properties of either of the steel type make them perfect for being used in applications. Here are some basic differences that can help differentiate between the two.
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Corrosion-Resistant
The most common difference between mild steel and stainless steel is that stainless steel is resistant to corrosion. Unlike mild steel, this steel type has chromium which reacts with the oxygen in the atmosphere forming a protective layer of chromium oxide.
On the other hand, mild steel has iron which reacts with the atmosphere to form an iron oxide that will rust. This rusting will lead to damaging the material in the long run. Pre-engineered building manufacturers in India thus use stainless steel due to the hardness it exhibits compared to mild steel.
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Ductility
Both stainless steel and mild steel have carbon in them. But the percentage of carbon is lesser in mild steel compared to stainless steel. This is why it is used in developing objects that require deformation without cracking.
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Weldability
Mild steel has more weldability than stainless steel.
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Magnetization
One can learn from the best steel companies in India that mild steel has a magnetization property due to its iron content, unlike stainless steel.
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Fabrication
It is easy to cut or bent the Mild steel whereas to fabricate stainless steel, machinery and technique are necessary. For bending steel into different shapes that do not require a perfect shape, mild steel is always preferred. But for products of stainless steel, one may need to have the perfect machinery and mould.
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Aesthetics
The appearance of stainless steel is much more appealing compared to mild steel.
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Applications
Pre-engineered building manufacturers use mild steel in the construction process. Further, they are also used in the automobile industry. On the other hand, their ability to resist corrosion and their wonderful shiny appeal makes them perfect for being used in commercial food processing equipment, chemical storage, surgical equipment, marine use, etc.
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Cost
Depending upon the manufacturing process, the alloying elements and the skilled workers, the price for both the stainless steel and the mild steel vary. However, stainless steel is a little more expensive than mild steel due to the perfect shape and finish of the products. However, mild steel can be considered an economical metal.
In a way, both steel types have distinctive properties that separate one from another. But, each of them is unique in its own way and is specifically used for creating different products. Thus, before buying, one must analyse the comprehensive need and then go for a particular steel type.
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