{"id":688,"date":"2024-08-08T15:43:26","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T10:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solitaire-overseas.com\/blog\/?p=688"},"modified":"2025-08-08T16:39:46","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T11:09:46","slug":"density-of-mild-steel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solitaire-overseas.com\/blog\/density-of-mild-steel\/","title":{"rendered":"Density of Mild Steel"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mild steel, or low-carbon steel, is incredibly versatile and widely used around the globe. Its flexibility, ease of welding, and machinability make it ideal for numerous applications. From the construction of skyscrapers and cars to the creation of fences and signs, mild steel plays a crucial role in many aspects of daily life. This common yet remarkable metal is integral to a wide range of industries and products.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Mild Steel?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Mild steel, also known as low-carbon steel, is a widely used iron alloy with a primary composition of carbon. Its broad application stems from its affordability and adequate strength, combined with excellent machinability and weldability. Mild steel’s versatility makes it suitable for various uses, from construction to everyday objects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Different grades of mild steel have varying carbon levels, influencing their strength and ductility. Higher carbon content increases strength but can reduce flexibility. Some grades also include additional alloying elements to improve specific properties like tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the Composition of Mild Steel?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Mild steel is primarily composed of iron (Fe) with a small amount of carbon, typically less than 0.2%. This low carbon content contributes to its flexibility and ease of use. In addition to carbon, mild steel often includes manganese (Mn), which improves its strength and hardness. The specific composition can vary slightly based on the grade and intended application, but these elements form the core of mild steel’s properties.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mild Steel in kg\/m3, g\/cm3, lb\/in3<\/b><\/h2>\n

The density of mild steel is as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

7.85 g\/cm\u00b3<\/b> (grams per cubic centimeter)<\/span><\/p>\n

7860 kg\/m\u00b3<\/b> (kilograms per cubic meter)<\/span><\/p>\n

0.284 lb\/in\u00b3<\/b> (pounds per cubic inch)<\/span><\/p>\n

This consistency in density is due to mild steel’s composition, which is predominantly iron (over 98%), with small amounts of alloying elements like carbon, manganese, and silicon. The density is closely related to the density of iron itself, which is approximately 7.87 g\/cm\u00b3. Mild steel alloys may show slight variations in density based on their specific alloying elements.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are the Different Grades of Mild Steel?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Mild steel comes in various grades, which are classified by the AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) numbering system. Grades start with “10,” signifying low carbon content. The last two digits indicate the carbon percentage, multiplied by 100. For instance, a grade labeled as 1018 contains approximately 0.18% carbon. Mild steel generally has low levels of phosphorus and sulfur to avoid impurities that could affect its properties. These grades are chosen based on the specific mechanical requirements and intended use of the steel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Classification<\/strong><\/td>\nApproximate Equivalents<\/strong><\/td>\nKey Points<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AISI 1008<\/td>\nDIN 1.0204<\/td>\nExcellent cold formability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AISI 1010<\/td>\nDIN 1.0301<\/td>\nLow strength, used for magnet cores<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AISI 1015<\/td>\nDIN 1.0401<\/td>\nWear-resistant, good machinability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AISI 1018<\/td>\nDIN 1.0419<\/td>\nExcellent for carburizing applications, good machinability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AISI 1020<\/td>\nDIN 1.0044<\/td>\nA good balance of strength and ductility,<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Mechanical Properties of Mild Steel<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type of Mild Steel<\/th>\nModulus of Elasticity (GPa)<\/th>\nBrinell Hardness<\/th>\nUltimate Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/th>\nYield Strength (MPa)<\/th>\nElongation at Break (%)<\/th>\nSteel Density kg\/m3<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n
Type of Mild Steel<\/div>\n
\n

AISI 1008<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)<\/div>\n
\n

200<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Brinell Hardness<\/div>\n
\n

95<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

340<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Yield Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

285<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Elongation at Break (%)<\/div>\n
\n

20<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Steel Density kg\/m3<\/div>\n
\n

7.87<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
Type of Mild Steel<\/div>\n
\n

AISI 1010<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)<\/div>\n
\n

205<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Brinell Hardness<\/div>\n
\n

105<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

365<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Yield Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

305<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Elongation at Break (%)<\/div>\n
\n

20<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Steel Density kg\/m3<\/div>\n
\n

7.87<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
Type of Mild Steel<\/div>\n
\n

AISI 1015<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)<\/div>\n
\n

205<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Brinell Hardness<\/div>\n
\n

111<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

385<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Yield Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

325<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Elongation at Break (%)<\/div>\n
\n

18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Steel Density kg\/m3<\/div>\n
\n

7.87<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
Type of Mild Steel<\/div>\n
\n

AISI 1018<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)<\/div>\n
\n

205<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Brinell Hardness<\/div>\n
\n

126<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

440<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Yield Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

370<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Elongation at Break (%)<\/div>\n
\n

15<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Steel Density kg\/m3<\/div>\n
\n

7.87<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
Type of Mild Steel<\/div>\n
\n

AISI 1020<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)<\/div>\n
\n

186<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Brinell Hardness<\/div>\n
\n

121<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

420<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Yield Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

350<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Elongation at Break (%)<\/div>\n
\n

15<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Steel Density kg\/m3<\/div>\n
\n

7.87<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
Type of Mild Steel<\/div>\n
\n

S275 J0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)<\/div>\n
\n

205<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Brinell Hardness<\/div>\n
\n

121<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

430 – 580<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Yield Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

275<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Elongation at Break (%)<\/div>\n
\n

21<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Steel Density kg\/m3<\/div>\n
\n

7.85<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
Type of Mild Steel<\/div>\n
\n

S355 J0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)<\/div>\n
\n

210<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Brinell Hardness<\/div>\n
\n

146<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

510 – 680<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Yield Strength (MPa)<\/div>\n
\n

355<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Elongation at Break (%)<\/div>\n
\n

20<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
Steel Density kg\/m3<\/div>\n
\n

7.80<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Chemical Composition of Mild Steel<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Classification<\/th>\nCarbon Content (% Weight)<\/th>\nSecondary Alloying Elements (% Weight)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n
\n

AISI 1008<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

<0.1<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.3 to 0.5 Mn; 0.04 P; 0.05 S<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

AISI 1010<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.08 to 0.13<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.3 to 0.6 Mn; 0.04 P; 0.05 S<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

AISI 1015<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.13 to 0.18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.3 to 0.6 Mn; 0.04 P; 0.05 S<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

AISI 1018<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.14 to 0.2<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.6 to 0.9 Mn; 0.04 P; 0.05 S<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

AISI 1020<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.17 to 0.23<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.3 to 0.6 Mn; 0.04 P; 0.05 S<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

S275<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

1.5 Mn; 0.030 P; 0.030 S; 0.012 N; 0.55 Cu<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

S355<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

0.2<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n

1.6 Mn; 0.030 P; 0.030 S; 0.012 N; 0.55 Cu<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Mild Steel Grades Applications<\/b><\/h2>\n

Mild steel, valued for its versatility, is used in numerous applications across different industries. Its common uses include:<\/span><\/p>\n