Steel materials, steel and industrial materials: A guide to choosing the best steel for your applications

Industrial materials are very diverse and include metal (e.g. steel), polymers, glass and composites. It is important to take a look at these materials as they are used for a wide range of applications. Each has specific advantages and disadvantages, which must be considered before deciding which material to use for a particular project. This blog article shows an overview of steel and how to make the right choices.

General steel materials

General steel materials are one of the most common metal alloys used in a wide range of applications. They are a combination of iron and carbon, which are processed into a material with unique properties. These characteristics make them an important cornerstone of modern industry.

Steel materials are very strong, durable and corrosion-resistant. They are easy to shape and process and can therefore be easily produced in different sizes and shapes. This makes them a preferred choice for a wide range of applications.

Steel components can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be made in panels, ingots, tubes, wire and even as multi-part units. They can therefore be used in many applications, from the manufacture of components for machines to the manufacture of tools.

Stainless steel materials

Stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance, making it an ideal material for use in humid or salty environments. It is easy to shape and machine, making it suitable for use in many different applications. Stainless steel is also very durable and resistant to damage.

Stainless steel is used in a wide range of applications, including:

• Mechanical engineering
• Automotive industry
• Shipbuilding
• Chemical industry
• Food industry
• Medical technology
• Building sector
• Water supply
• Electronics

Stainless steel offers a number of advantages, in particular:

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Durability
• Easy handling
• Easy to shape and machine
• Cost-efficient
• Environmentally friendly

Difference between carbon steels

Carbon steels are a special type of steel where the carbon content is higher than other types of steel. This steel is widely used in various industries due to its high strength and hardness. The carbon content can vary between 0.15% and 1.5%, and the steel can be produced in various alloys to achieve different properties.

Carbon steel is a very strong and hard steel that is suitable for use in a wide range of applications. It is a very durable steel that can withstand high temperatures and pressure loads. It is also a very cost-effective steel that is easy to process and weld.

Carbon steel components are used in many different industries, including mechanical engineering, construction and the aerospace industry. In engineering, carbon steel is often used in the manufacture of housings, drive shafts and many other components. In construction, it is often used to manufacture steel beams and precast concrete parts.

What is the difference between materials according to JIS and DIN EN ISO?

JIS materials are a special class of material manufactured according to Japanese industry standards. They are mainly used in Japanese industry and some other Asian countries. DIN EN ISO materials, on the other hand, are widely used in Europe and other parts of the world.

The key differences between JIS and ISO materials lie in their specific requirements and properties. For example, JIS materials often have a higher resistance and higher impact strength than ISO materials. JIS materials also often offer higher wear resistance and higher corrosion resistance. In addition, JIS materials are often better suited to machining as they have to fulfil specific machining requirements.

Select the optimum material according to JIS and DIN EN ISO

The use of materials according to JIS and DIN EN ISO is a complex process that requires thorough analysis and testing. The required specifications (e.g. roughness and hardness) are usually converted in several steps, which can be divided into individual phases.

Firstly, the materials must be assessed regarding their strengths and weaknesses and evaluated to determine whether they meet the requirements of DIN EN ISO standards.

The properties of the materials must then be examined and the appropriate materials selected.

Finally, the materials must be tested for compatibility with the DIN EN ISO standards and the necessary changes made to the materials to ensure that they meet the requirements.

This process is not difficult at MISUMI, as all JIS steels and materials provided by MISUMI are fully equivalent to ISO materials:

On request, MISUMI can produce your products with surface treatments. Extremely hard and robust surface treatments such as Low Temperature Black Chrome (LTBC) or Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) are, of course, also available.

Configure your components

You can configure shafts and other components freely with the MISUMI configurator.

Select the component type and set the desired specifications and characteristics.

CAD library

Use our extensive CAD library to select the optimal part for your components and applications.

Find inspiration in our inCAD library and edit your designs with our SolidWorks add-on “inCADcomponents”.