Flat steel is primarily made of low-carbon steel, with common types including plain carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel. The following are the main types and their characteristics:
Plain Carbon Steel
Plain carbon steel flat steel has a low carbon content (typically ≤0.25%), resulting in lower cost and suitable for general applications such as building structures.
Alloy Steel
Alloy steel is used in some specialized applications (such as pressure vessels and rail transit), offering both strength and corrosion resistance.
Stainless Steel
Take 304 stainless steel flat steel as an example. It contains 19% chromium and 9% nickel, forming a passive film on its surface for exceptional corrosion resistance. It is suitable for applications such as chemical equipment and nuclear power. Cold-drawn flat steel offers a high-quality surface finish, while hot-rolled flat steel is suitable for industrial, heavily corrosive environments.
Hot-rolled flat steel offers a rough surface, suitable for industrial applications.
Cold-drawn flat steel (brushed finish): Offers a high-quality surface finish, often used for decorative or demanding applications.