Are mild and stainless steel very different?

For years, we have supplied expert services to the industrial and domestic sectors. Whether it is tube drilling, bending or alteration, we provide outstanding results. The tubes we work on include different types of steel as well as aluminium, brass, copper, and hydraulic tube.

Steel remains one of the most common tube materials despite the alternatives. This is because it is cost effective in most cases and has a plethora of sub-categories. As a result you can select a grade with the right properties. The attributes that differ the most between each group are strength, aesthetics, ductility, and hardness.

Usually, it comes down to a choice between stainless and mild steel.

Stainless

The first is an alloy possessing 11.5wt% chromium content at minimum. It doesn’t rust, corrode, or stain as easily as standard steel, hence its name. However, it is not stain-proof, so be careful. There are numerous surface finishes and grades available to match the setting that you’ll be placing the material in.

Mild

This type is also known as carbon steel. The American Iron and Steel Institute describe the substance as holding a maximum of 2% carbon. In addition, there is no extra significant alloying component. This variety accounts for the majority of the steel production. You can find professionals using it in countless applications. It’s normally the case that mild steels are strong and stiff. Furthermore, they display ferromagnetism. Because of this, we use them extensively in electrical and motor projects.

Drilling

It can be difficult to drill a hole in any kind of metal because of the hardness. Softer metals are easier to work with. In terms of the steels, mild is easier to work than stainless. The issue with the latter is it actually gets harder the more it is worked. This can cause extra challenges.

At Multiform Tubes, our professional tube drilling assistance can offer you solutions for various kinds of tubing. With pre-drilled holes, the process becomes more straightforward and progresses quicker. If you wish to know more about our work, please get in touch.