Carbon Steel Casting Alloys

Carbon steel is a steel alloy containing carbon as the main alloying element. Cast alloy steels have been developed to operate under conditions requiring greater pressures, wear resistances, and higher strength with increased toughness and hardenability. The mechanical properties of this alloy are determined by the percentage of carbon present; the higher the percentage, the harder and stronger the alloy becomes through heat treating. Because they can be processed to obtain a wide range of properties, carbon steels are found in a variety of applications.

Both mid carbon and low carbon steel are used for investment casting. Mid carbon steel provides good ductility, strength and wear resistance. It can also be hardened and tempered through heat treatment. Low carbon steel is easily shaped but cannot be strengthened by heat treating. As an alternative, carburizing can be used to increase the alloy’s surface harness.

Precision Investment Casting Using Carbon Steel 

Engineered Precision Casting Company, Inc. provides investment cast parts using over 75 different alloys, including carbon steel. We pour sizes up to 16 x 16 in. with weights up to 150 lbs. and specialize in tight tolerances and complex designs. Our air-melt alloys are controlled using a master heat system with dedicated lines for ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, and we offer several grades that meet MIL, AMS and ASTM specifications.

Considerations in selecting a grade for your carbon steel casting project include application as well as machinability, weldability, strength requirements, formability, and corrosion resistance. If you need assistance selecting the right alloy for your precision investment casting project, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Low Carbon Steel Casting

Low carbon steel contains lower levels of carbon content and is known for its ductility, weldability, and machinability. It is softer and has a lower tensile strength than other steels and is not suitable for heat treatment. Carbon steel casting is typically used for automotive and construction applications including fasteners, bolts, shafts, rods, pins, assemblies and more.

We provide the following low carbon steels for investment casting:

• 1010
• 1020
• 4130
• 8620
• 8630
• Armco Iron
• WCB

Mid Carbon Steel Casting

Mid carbon steel contains medium levels of carbon content and is known for its wear resistance. It is harder than low carbon steel and able to be strengthened using heat treatment. Mid carbon steel investment casting alloys are commonly used for military and defense applications including engine components, couplings, crankshafts, aircraft tubing and firearms.

We pour a range of mid carbon steel alloys, including:

• 1040
• 4140
• 4340
• 6150
• 8640
• CA6NM