Difference Between Stainless Steel and Mild Steel

Steel is one of the most desirable materials in the world. Without steel, umpteen industries would get crippled. To render to the needs of such industries, steel comes in a variety of forms and sub-categories. Depending on the characteristics, you can pick the type of steel you desire. Usually, these characteristics are spread over a variety of aspects such as cost, ductility, malleability, strength, appearance, and whatnot. Selecting the right steel type can enhance the quality as well as the cost with which the work will be done. On the other hand, a wrong pick can make your project suffer. So, which one should one pick? Today, Sigma Pipes, the leading stainless steel pipes supplier, and manufacturer of stainless steel pipes will be distinguishing between the two top-notch varieties of steel – stainless steel and mild steel.

A sneak-peek into stainless steel

As the name suggests, stainless steel refers to steel that doesn’t get stained or gets corroded just like ordinary steel. It is a chemical alloy with at least 11.5% chromium content and can be found in cutlery, watch straps, etc. Because of its stainless properties, it is also called corrosion-resistant steel. Stainless steel comes in a variety of grades and surface finishes suitable to an array of environments to which the material will be subjected in its lifetime. 

Some people often confuse stainless steel with carbon steel. However, both are different because of different chromium contents. 

 A sneak-peek into mild steel

Mild steel, also known as “plain carbon steel” or simply “carbon steel”, is made of at most 2 percent of carbon and no other element. It can be used in a variety of electrical appliances such as motos etc. Mild steel is the most produced steel in the steel-producing industry of India. Generally, this type of steel is stiff, strong, and ferromagnetic i.e. it is magnetic in nature. Welding mild steel is a daunting task. At Sigma Pipes, we wield mild steel by keeping all the necessary precautions in mind.

Difference between stainless steel and mild steel

• Chemical composition

The basic difference is that stainless steel has very little carbon and is alloyed with chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and other elements to improve its mechanical and chemical properties. This is not the case with mild steel.

• Protection against corrosion.

On being exposed to air and moisture, mild steel is susceptible to rusting. Stainless steel, on the other hand, has sufficient percentages of chromium present in it. On being exposed to air and moisture, a layer of chromium oxide forms on the surface preventing it from corrosion. The corrosion resistance of mild steels is poor (i.e. they rust) and so they should not be used in a corrosive environment unless some form of protective coating is used.

• Welding

As aforementioned, welding mild steel is easy despite requiring special precautions. Usually, welding carbon steels with a mild content greater than 0.3 % requires that special precautions be taken. However, welding mild steel presents far fewer problems than welding stainless steel. 

• Malleability and ductility.

Stainless steel is less malleable and less brittle than mild steel.

• Strength

Stainless steel is harder than mild steel. However, mild steel can be further strengthened through the addition of carbon.

• Usage.

If you aren’t going to see the steel surface, i.e. the final piece is going to be painted or coated, then use mild steel. In addition to that, in places where stainless steel isn’t cost-effective, mild steel is used.  
So, these were the major differences between stainless steel and mild steel. Sigma pipes is a leading stainless steel manufacturer and steel pipes supplier that provides high-quality stainless steel pipes. Contact us for more details at https://sigmapipes.com/.