Metal is such a diverse industry, and it can take a long time to get to know all of the different types of metal available within this industry. Whether you are in the industrial or manufacturing business yourself, or you just have some curiosities about steel, getting to know steel alloy better is a good idea. Take a look at some of the common questions about alloy steel and alloy steel forgings and the answers you may want to know. 

What is alloy steel?

Alloy steel is steel that has been created with one of many alloys or a combination of different alloys. For example, the steel may be formulated with aluminum alloy or copper alloy. The advantage of adding different metal alloys to steel is the steel can take on some of the properties of the other metal, which can make a piece more fitting for certain applications. For example, a piece of steel that is made with an aluminum alloy will be less prone to corrosion, so it would work quite well in an outdoor application. 

What are the different types of common alloy steel?

You can find a multitude of alloy steels at any fabrication company. However, there are a few that are the most common, and you probably know these steel forms by a different name. For example, chromium alloy steel is actually stainless steel, and you have probably used it or encountered it quite a bit. Another common form of alloy steel is cobalt steel, which is desirable because it has a higher strength ratio and a more dense composition than steel can offer on its own. 

Is alloy steel more expensive than regular steel?

In most cases, alloy steel will be more expensive than straight-out steel, but it can always depend on the fabricator. The material goes through a more detailed process during fabrication, and it contains more material than just steel alone. Therefore, it is more costly to create and more costly to purchase. 

Can you have alloy steel fabricated with certain alloys?

You can have steel fabricated with certain alloys with limitations. For example, if you want stainless steel that has a bit more chromium than what is typical, this is something the alloy steel fabrication plant may be able to help you obtain. Naturally, these customized processes can involve more costs than what you would pay for a product that has already been fabricated. 

Share