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High Strength & Toughness

Forged carbon, alloy and tool steels are used for applications in almost every industry due to their unique properties and versatility. 

CARBON STEEL

Low-cost carbon steel grades are commonly used for applications without high strength or operating in high-temperature environments.  

ALLOY STEEL

Alloy steel uses additional alloying elements for increased hardenability and improved properties.  

TOOL STEEL

Tool steel combines selected alloy steel and carbon steel grades, and its high hardness and abrasion resistance characteristics make it ideal for cutting and machining various types of metals. 

Carbon, Alloy & Tool Steel Inventory

Scot Forge holds an inventory of various grades for customers to order for their carbon alloy and tool steel forging needs and specifications:

1010

1050

17 CrNiMo6

4320

9310

A182F12

MIL-S 23284CL1

1018

1055

2317

4330V

52100

A182F22

MIL-S 23284CL2

1020

1060

3310

4340

ABS Grade 2

A 182F91

NITRALLOY "N"

1021

1065

4130

4350

EX55

A336F1

NITRALLOY 135

1022

1070

4130API

4620

HY80

A336F22A

D-2

1026

1080

4140

4820

HY100

A350LF2

H-13

1029

1117

4142

6150

A 105

A350LF3

L-6 

1030 

1141

4145

8620

A182FI

A508CL2

 

1035 

1146

4150

8622

A182F5

A508CL3

 

1040

1541V

4150 RES.

8630 

A182F9

A723GR2

 

1045

15B22

43B17

8822

A182F11

A723GR3

 

Forged Carbon, Alloy & Tool Steel Characteristics

Carbon Steel

The hardenability of carbon steel is limited because only carbon is used in the material. Many grades of carbon steel are hardenable through heat treatment that includes quenching and tempering steps; however, the super high strength of stainless steels cannot be achieved with carbon steel.

Alloy Steel

Adding alloying elements - Manganese, chromium, nickel and molybdenum are some of the elements used for increased strength, toughness and wear resistance compared to carbon steel.  Other desirable characteristics such as corrosion resistance, strength at elevated temperature and creep resistance are also achieved through alloying element additions.

Tool Steel

 Major alloying elements in tool steel are chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and tungsten.  These carbide formers allow tool steel to resist deformation and maintain a sharp cutting edge at high temperatures.

Quality Assurance

Scot Forge is proud to be ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, and our team is committed to providing outstanding customer satisfaction. Further pursuance of aerospace products has led to NADCAP accreditation in both heat treatment and nondestructive testing for titanium material. 


Every Scot Forge customer works with a qualified team that will guide each Carbon and Tool Steel forging from inquiry to order placement, manufacturing then inspection and shipping.

Forged Carbon, Alloy & Tool Steel Advantages

Low Carbon Steel

Low carbon steel has 0.05% to 0.25% carbon which allows the material to be ductile. Low carbon steel is a low-cost option for applications where high strength is not a consideration.

Medium Carbon Steel

Medium carbon steel has 0.29% to 0.54% carbon which contains a higher amount of manganese and allows the material to be quenched and tempered after forging.  These forgings offer higher strength and toughness than low carbon steels, yet avoid the higher costs associated with the highly alloyed stainless steels.

High and Very High Carbon Steel

High and very high carbon steel has 0.55% to 2.1% carbon which allows the material to achieve high hardness and resilience.

Carbon steel hardened by heat treatment has increased strength and toughness. Tool steels, containing higher amounts of carbon, are normally forged for the purpose of creating tools that can resist abrasion, fatigue and wear.

Benefits Of Forged Carbon, Alloy & Tool Steel

Benefits of Carbon Steel:

  • Strength and Durability: Carbon steel offers excellent tensile strength and hardness, making it suitable for structural components and machinery parts that require high strength and resistance to wear.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Carbon steel is comparatively less expensive than other steel types, making it an economical choice for various applications. 
  • Machinability: Carbon steel is easy to machine and fabricate, allowing for efficient production of components with intricate shapes.

Benefits of Alloy Steel:

  • Enhanced Strength and Toughness: Alloying elements improve the strength, hardness, and toughness of steel, enabling its use in demanding applications that require resistance to high-temperature environments, pressure, and mechanical stress.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Certain alloy steels exhibit improved corrosion resistance, making them suitable for applications in aggressive environments.
  • Wear Resistance: Alloy steels can possess excellent wear resistance, ensuring their longevity and suitability for applications involving friction and abrasive forces.

Benefits of Tool Steel:

  • High Hardness and Wear Resistance: Tool steel possesses excellent hardness, allowing it to withstand high cutting forces and resist wear during machining processes.
  • Toughness and Shock Resistance: Tool steel exhibits high toughness, enabling it to absorb shock and resist deformation, making it suitable for applications involving high impact and repetitive stresses.
  • Heat Resistance: Tool steel retains its hardness and toughness even at high temperatures, allowing it to withstand the thermal stresses associated with high-speed machining and heat treatment processes.

Carbon, Alloy & Tool Steel Applications

Carbon Steel:

  • Construction: Carbon steel is widely used in construction for structural frameworks, bridges, and reinforcement bars due to its high strength and durability.
  • Automotive: Carbon steel is employed in automobile frames, chassis components, and suspension systems due to its strength, impact resistance, and affordability.
  • Infrastructure: Carbon steel is utilized in pipelines, tanks, and machinery for various industrial applications, including oil and gas, water treatment, and manufacturing.

Alloy Steel

  • Aerospace and Defense: Alloy steel is used in aircraft components, landing gear, and structural parts due to its high strength, fatigue resistance, and temperature stability.
  • Oil and Gas: Alloy steel finds application in oil and gas exploration, drilling, and production equipment due to its resistance to corrosion, high pressure, and harsh operating conditions.
  • Automotive and Transportation: Alloy steel is employed in engine components, gears, axles, and suspension systems in the automotive and transportation industries due to its strength, durability, and heat resistance.

Tool Steel

  • Manufacturing: Tool steel is used in the manufacturing industry for the production of cutting tools, dies, molds, and machine components that require high hardness and wear resistance.
  • Automotive: Tool steel finds application in the automotive industry for the production of forging dies, punches, and cutting tools used in metal forming and machining processes.
  • Plastics and Injection Molding: Tool steel is utilized in the plastics industry for the production of molds and dies used in injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding processes.

Scot Forge Difference

At Scot Forge, we know the importance of getting your parts on-time, as expected. However, for customers new to procuring forgings, ordering a forging that will meet all specifications for end-use applications may be a challenge, which is why finding a trusted supplier and partner is essential. Our employee-owners are here to ensure your project stays on track with our forgings by offering:

Pro Tip - Did you know near-net shapes can save you time and money? Oftentimes, a customer calls to order a disc, which they will later machine down to a more shaped part. By working with our technically trained sales team you can get as close to your finished product shape as possible to optimize your production process. 

We can help you today!

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