What type of steel contains carbon in the range of 0.30% to 0.45%?

Medium-carbon steel is characterized by having carbon content within the range of 0.30% to 0.45%. This specific carbon range provides a balance between ductility and strength, making medium-carbon steel suitable for a variety of applications, including automotive components and machinery parts.

In terms of its properties, medium-carbon steel typically exhibits good wear resistance along with moderate toughness, which is ideal for applications that require a durable yet manageable material. The presence of carbon in this range allows for heat treatment processes, enhancing its hardness and strength while still maintaining sufficient ductility.

Other types of steel exhibit different carbon ranges and properties: low-carbon steel contains less than 0.30% carbon, which offers greater ductility but less strength, while high-carbon steel generally contains more than 0.45% carbon, leading to increased hardness and wear resistance but reduced ductility. Alloy steel is a broader category that refers to steel alloyed with various elements to enhance specific properties, and its carbon content can vary widely, making it less specific in terms of defining its classification solely by carbon content.