What Is Mild Steel?
Mild steel, also called low‑carbon steel, is one of the most widely used construction materials worldwide. It is a form of structural steel that contains a small amount of carbon—generally between 0.05 % and 0.25 %—which gives it a balance of strength, ductility, and weldability. Because of its affordable cost and versatility, mild steel is the backbone of everything from building frameworks to automotive panels.
Chemical Composition of Mild Steel
The strength and behavior of mild steel are largely determined by its elemental makeup. Below is a typical composition range for most mild steel grades:
- Iron (Fe): 98–99 %
- Carbon (C): 0.05–0.25 %
- Manganese (Mn): 0.30–0.80 %
- Silicon (Si): 0.10–0.30 %
- Phosphorus (P): ≤0.04 %
- Sulfur (S): ≤0.04 %
- Trace elements (e.g., chromium, nickel, copper):
