The so-called cast steel and carbon steel are just different types of steel. Carbon steel is just a kind of steel. Cast steel is a processing method of steel. It is not a concept.

Carbon steel is carbon steel. It includes cast carbon steel, rolled carbon steel, and forged carbon steel.

Cast steel is a variety of cast steel parts obtained by casting methods, including cast carbon steel and cast alloy steel.

Carbon steel​​

1. Definition

It mainly refers to the steel whose mass fraction of carbon is less than 2.11% and does not contain intentionally added alloying elements. Sometimes also called plain carbon steel or carbon steel. Carbon steel is also called carbon steel, which refers to an iron-carbon alloy with a carbon content Wc of less than 2.11%.​​​​Besides to carbon, carbon steel also contains a small amount of silicon, manganese, sulfur, and phosphorus.​​


2. Classification

(1) According to the purpose, carbon steel can be divided into three categories: carbon structural steel, carbon tool steel and free-cutting structural steel. Structural steel is further divided into engineering construction steel and machine manufacturing structural steel.

(2) According to the smelting method, it can be divided into open hearth steel and converter steel.

(3) According to the carbon content, carbon steel can be divided into low carbon steel (WC ≤ 0.25%). Medium carbon steel (WC0.25%—0.6%). High carbon steel (WC>0.6%)

(4) According to the quality of the steel, carbon steel can be divided into ordinary carbon steel (higher phosphorus and sulfur content). High-quality carbon steel (lower phosphorus and sulfur content). Advanced high-quality steel (lower phosphorus and sulfur content) ). Super high-quality steel.​​

Note: Generally, the higher the carbon content in carbon steel. The greater the hardness and the higher the strength. But the lower the plasticity.

Cast steel

Steel for castings (Steel Casting). A type of cast alloy. Cast steel is divided into three categories: cast carbon steel, cast low alloy steel and cast special steel.​​​​

①Cast carbon steel

Cast steel with carbon as the main alloying element and small amounts of other elements. Casting low carbon steel with carbon content less than 0.2%. Casting medium carbon steel with a carbon content of 0.2% to 0.5%. Casting high carbon steel with a carbon content greater than 0.5%. With the increase of carbon content, the strength and hardness of cast carbon steel increase.

Cast carbon steel has high strength, plasticity and toughness, and low cost. It is used in heavy machinery to manufacture parts that bear large loads. Such as rolling mill stands, hydraulic press bases, etc. It is used in railway vehicles to manufacture large forces Parts that are also impacted. Such as bolsters, side frames, wheels and couplers.​​​​

②Cast low alloy steel

Cast steel containing alloying elements such as manganese, chromium, and copper. The total amount of alloying elements is generally less than 5%. It has greater impact toughness and better mechanical properties through heat treatment. Casting low alloy steel has better performance than carbon steel. It can reduce the quality of parts and improve the service life. ​​

③ cast special steel

Alloy cast steel made to meet special needs has a wide variety. Usually contains one or more high alloying elements to get some special properties.
For example, high manganese steel containing 11% to 14% manganese can resist impact wear. It is mostly used for wear-resistant parts of mining machinery and construction machinery

All kinds of stainless steel with chromium or chromium-nickel as the main alloying element. It is used for parts with corrosion or high temperature above 650℃. Such as the chemical valve body, pump, container or steam turbine shell of the large-capacity power station.

What is the difference between Cast steel and Carbon Steel

1. Different in nature

Cast steel: Cast steel is a kind of casting alloy, with iron and carbon as the main elements. The carbon content is between 0-2%.

Carbon steel: Carbon steel is an iron-carbon alloy with a carbon content of 0.0218% to 2.11%. Generally, it also contains a small amount of silicon, manganese, sulfur, and phosphorus.

2. Different characteristics

Cast steel: 304, 316 cast steel is the most widely used stainless steel. Both are austenitic cast steel, non-magnetic or weakly magnetic. And 430, 403, 410 are austenitic-ferritic stainless steels, which are magnetic.

Carbon steel: Generally, the higher the carbon content in carbon steel, the greater the hardness and the higher the strength. But the plasticity is low.

3. Different classification

As mentioned above.