Steel is a metallic material primarily composed of iron (Fe) with a carbon content below 2.11% (C<2.11%). Its carbon content typically ranges from 0.02% to 2.11%. Mechanical properties, machinability, and corrosion resistance can be enhanced by adding alloying elements such as manganese, silicon, chromium, and nickel. Steel can be classified based on chemical composition, smelting method, quality, application, form, and other criteria.
By Chemical Composition
Carbon Steel:
- – Mild Steel: C ≤ 0.25%
- – Medium Carbon Steel: 0.25% < C ≤ 0.60%
- – High Carbon Steel: C > 0.60%
Alloy Steel: Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel (HSLA Steel), Alloy Structural Steel, Tool Steel, Special-Property Steel
By Quality
Ordinary Steel (P ≤ 0.045%, S ≤ 0.055%): General structural components
High-quality steel (P, S ≤ 0.035%): Mechanical components, bearings, etc.
Premium-quality steel (P ≤ 0.035%, S ≤ 0.030%): Precision instruments, aerospace components, etc.
By Smelting Method
By furnace type: Open-hearth steel (largely obsolete), converter steel (mainstream), electric furnace steel (for producing high-quality and alloy steels).
By deoxidation level: Boiling steel (Rimmed Steel), Killed steel (Killed Steel), Semi-killed steel (Semi-killed Steel).
By Forming Method
Forged steel: High-strength components
Cast steel: Complex-shaped components
Hot-rolled steel: Hot-rolled plates, structural steel
Cold-rolled steel: Cold-rolled plates, galvanized steel coils
By Form
Flat Products: Hot-rolled sheets/coils, cold-rolled sheets/coils, coated steels (GI/GL/PPGI/PPGL), etc.
Long Products: Rebar, wire rod, etc.
Shaped Steel: H-beams, I-beams, angle bars, channels, rails, etc.
Tubular Products: Welded steel pipes, seamless steel pipes, etc.
Other Forms: Steel wire, castings, forgings, etc.
By Application
Structural Steel: Steel for construction and engineering, steel for machinery manufacturing
Tool Steel: Such as carbon tool steel (T8, T10), alloy tool steel, high-speed tool steel.
Special Purpose Steel: Stainless steel, heat-resistant steel, wear-resistant steel
Specialized Steel: Bridge steel, shipbuilding steel, pressure vessel steel, wheel steel, etc.
Summary
| Classification Dimension | Main Category | Typical Grades/Examples | Core Features |
| Chemical Composition | Carbon Steel | Q235B, 45# | Low cost, mature process, widely applied. |
| Alloy Steel | 40Cr, 304 Stainless Steel | Functional customization through alloy element additions. | |
| Usage | Structural Steel | Q355B, HRB400 | Good performance under static or dynamic loads. |
| Tool Steel | T10, SKD11 | High hardness, wear resistance. | |
| Special Steel | 304 Stainless Steel, ZGMn13 | Meets specific environmental requirements. | |
| Quality | Common Steel | Q235B | Cost-effective. |
| High-Quality Steel | 45# | Stable performance. | |
| Shape | Plate Material | Cold-rolled Steel, Galvanized Steel | Easy to process further. |
| Profile Material | I-Beams, Rebar | Specific cross-sectional shapes to bear forces from different directions. | |
| Pipe Material | Seamless Steel Pipes | High bending and torsional strength. | |
| Wire Material | Steel Wire, Steel Rod | Various specifications, widely applied. |
Wanzhi – Hot Steel Products
Wanzhi Group is a steel supplier from China with extensive experience in producing and selling coated and galvanized steel products. If you have any questions regarding steel materials, feel free to leave a message and we’ll be happy to discuss them with you.