High tensile steel: Features, properties and applications

High tensile steel is one of the preferred steel in a wide range of industries. It has several features that make it a choice for so many industries. However, do you know what high tensile steel is? And how is it made?

This article will take a closer look at the features of high tensile steel, its properties and its applications.

What is high tensile steel?

High tensile steel is named after its key feature i.e. high strength and yield strength. Tensile strength refers to the maximum amount of tensile (meaning pulling) stress a material can withstand without breaking. Therefore, high tensile steel is also known as high strength steel or high-performance steel. Yield strength refers to the amount of stress steel can withstand before permanently deforming.

Composition of high tensile steel

For achieving hardness and other desired features, high tensile steel is made with different alloying elements including iron, carbon, manganese, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum.

How to make high tensile steel?

• All raw materials including carbon, chromium, nickel, manganese and molybdenum are combined with iron in a furnace. The exact composition of these materials depends on the grade of steel being produced and the desired features.
• Once the raw materials are well combined, high tensile steel is shaped into desired forms such as bars, rods, sheets, coils, etc. Various kinds of manufacturing techniques are used for shaping such as rolling, forging, etc.
• Once steel takes the desired form, it is heat treated. The heat treatment gives steel strength and hardness and high tensile steel is produced.
• Next, high tensile steel undergoes chemical treatment for corrosion resistance. For example, galvanisation treatment.

Note: The manufacturing process depends on the grade being produced and the expected features. Therefore, the actual process may vary in some cases.

High tensile steel: properties and features

Properties of high tensile steel offer the following features:

• High tensile: As mentioned earlier, high tensile strength is the key mechanical properties of the high strength or high tensile steel. The tensile strength high tensile steel can be up to 2,000 N/mm2 depending on the grade. As a result, it is a preferred material in industries where hardness and strength are key requirements.
• Yield strength: High yield strength of this type of steel allows it to withstand higher loads and stresses.
• Hardness: High tensile steel is known for its hardness. The hardness of steel contributes to the ability to resist deformation and wear.
• Corrosion resistance: It is important to note that high tensile steel is not the best choice when it comes to corrosion resistance. However, its corrosion resistance can be enhanced with other treatments and coatings such as galvanisation.
• Weldability: Weldability of high tensile strength steel is lower as compared to other steel types available in the market. As a result, special techniques and procedures might have to be adopted to weld high tensile steel.

Advantages of high tensile steel

• Ability to withstand heavy loads and stresses
• Ability to withstand extreme conditions
• It is lightweight yet strong hence, offers improved safety and performance
• Durable material
• It can withstand extreme temperatures
• Ability to withstand corrosive environment and high pressure

Applications of high tensile steel: How is it used?

High tensile steel is used in a wide range of applications across various industries where strength, durability, and performance are critical. Here are some common applications:

Industry	Applications
Construction industry	Building structures such as bridges, high-rise buildings, and industrial facilities
Automotive industry	Manufacturing of chassis frames, body panels, roll cages, suspension systems, and crash safety structures, etc.
Aerospace industry	aircraft components such as landing gears, structural elements, and engine parts
Defense industry	Military vehicles, armored vehicles, and other defense-related equipment
Railways	Railway tracks, bridges, and rolling stock components
Machinery and equipment	Manufacturing of various machinery and equipment, including cranes, earthmoving equipment, agricultural machinery, and mining equipment
Oil and gas industry	For making offshore platforms, pipelines, and drilling equipment
Medical equipment	Manufacturing of surgical instruments, medical devices, and orthopedic implants
Power generation	Manufacturing equipment such as turbines, generators, and transformers
Shipbuilding	For constructing hulls, frames, and other structural components
Infrastructure	For the construction of infrastructure elements such as transmission towers, wind turbine structures, and telecommunications towers
Sports equipment	For building cycle frames, tennis racquets, golf club shafts

 

High tensile vs mild steel

	High tensile steel	Mild steel
Tensile strength	Tensile strength is very high and can be up to 2,000 N/mm2	Tensile strength is comparatively low and varies from 600 to 800 N/mm2 depending on the grade.
Carbon content	It contains 0.60 – 0.80% carbon content.	Carbon content is higher than high tensile steel and the percentage of carbon can go up to 2.1%.
Weldability	It features lesser weldability as compared to mild steel	It features more weldability.
Flexibility	It is harder and difficult to shape.	Mild steel is more flexible and hence easy to shape.
Applications	It is used in critical application areas where strength is the must requirement.	It is used in a variety of industries where flexibility, weldability, etc., is preferred over strength.

High tensile steel plate price

High tensile steel plate prices in India range from about ₹70/kg to ₹110/kg.

On a concluding note: How to buy high tensile steel in India?

Although there are various options to buy high tensile steel, you can buy it online. It is one of the convenient ways to buy steel. With Tata nexarc Procurement, you can buy high-quality steel in three easy steps. Post your requirements and you will get quotes from authorised vendors. Evaluate quotes and choose the one that suits you the best.

It is best to get quotes from multiple vendors, as you can compare prices and quality.