INDIAN STANDARDS (IS) CARBON STEEL GRADES
Low Carbon Steels (Carbon Content: 0.05% to 0.25%)
Characteristics:
✓ Soft, ductile, and malleable
✓ Excellent weldability and machinability
✓ Used in applications requiring formability
IS Code |
Grade |
Description & Applications |
IS 2062 |
Q235 |
General structural purposes, including bridges, buildings, and scaffolding. Available in sub-grades like Q235B, Q235C, etc. |
IS 2062 |
Q275 |
Higher strength than Q235, used in construction and structural applications requiring greater strength. |
IS 2062 |
Q345 |
High-strength structural steel for heavy-duty applications such as bridges, cranes, and high-rise buildings. |
IS 2063 |
SS400 |
Mild structural steel used for welded structures, machinery frames, and general fabrication. |
IS 1725 |
Carbon Steel Bars |
Used for reinforcing concrete in construction (commonly known as rebars). |
IS 2061 |
Carbon Steel Plates |
Utilized in shipbuilding, pressure vessels, and general fabrication requiring plate steel. |
IS 1608 |
Steel Tubes |
Employed in structural frameworks, pipelines, and automotive applications. |
IS 2063 |
SS410 |
Mild structural steel with good weldability and formability, used in automotive and machinery parts. |
Medium Carbon Steels (Carbon Content: 0.25% to 0.60%)
Characteristics:
✓ Balanced strength and ductility
✓ Good wear resistance
✓ Suitable for applications requiring higher strength and toughness than low carbon steels
IS Code |
Grade |
Description & Applications |
IS 1077 |
C45 |
Medium carbon steel used for shafts, gears, bolts, and other mechanical parts requiring good strength and wear resistance. |
IS 2062 |
C55 |
Higher strength medium carbon steel for applications like heavy-duty machinery and automotive components. |
IS 2062 |
C60 |
Used in applications demanding higher tensile strength and hardness, such as springs and high-stress parts. |
IS 2062 |
C70 |
High carbon content for tooling, cutting instruments, and high-strength components. |
IS 1224 |
C30 |
Lower medium carbon steel used in general engineering and structural applications. |
High Carbon Steels (Carbon Content: 0.60% to 1.0%)
Characteristics:
✓ Very hard and strong
✓ Poor weldability and ductility
✓ Excellent wear resistance
✓ Used in applications requiring high hardness and strength
IS Code |
Grade |
Description & Applications |
IS 1077 |
C80 |
High carbon steel used for cutting tools, springs, and high-strength wires. |
IS 2062 |
C90 |
Extremely hard steel for specialized tools, dies, and high-wear components. |
IS 304 |
Tool Steel (T) |
Used for making tools, dies, and other applications requiring high hardness and durability. |
IS 4535 |
Carbon Tool Steel |
Employed in manufacturing cutting tools, punches, and dies requiring superior hardness and wear resistance. |
Structural Carbon Steels
Characteristics:
✓ Designed for specific structural applications
✓ High strength and durability
✓ Suitable for construction and heavy engineering projects
IS Code |
Grade |
Description & Applications |
IS 2062 |
Q235, Q275, Q345 |
Widely used in construction, infrastructure, and heavy engineering projects such as bridges, buildings, and cranes. |
IS 808 |
Mild Structural Steel |
Used for structural sections, channels, and angles in construction and fabrication. |
IS 1239 |
Structural Angles and Channels |
Employed in building frameworks, supports, and bracing structures. |
IS 13524 |
Cold Rolled Structural Sheets |
Utilized in precision structural applications requiring smooth surfaces and tight tolerances. |
Special Carbon Steels
Characteristics:
✓ Enhanced properties through specific alloying elements or treatments
✓ Tailored for specialized applications
IS Code |
Grade |
Description & Applications |
IS 1608 |
Precision Steel Tubes |
Used in automotive, aerospace, and high-precision engineering applications. |
IS 1786 |
Bearing Steels (e.g., 100Cr6) |
High carbon chromium steel used in bearing manufacturing for its excellent wear resistance and fatigue strength. |
IS 2062 |
Piping and Boiler Steels |
Employed in the fabrication of pressure vessels, pipelines, and boilers requiring high strength and corrosion resistance. |
IS 12089 |
Cold Drawing Steels |
Used for manufacturing fasteners, bolts, and other precision components requiring high tensile strength. |
IS 1554 |
Refractory Steel |
High carbon steel used in high-temperature applications such as furnaces and heat treatment equipment. |
Common Indian Carbon Steel Grades and Their Applications
Characteristics:
✓ Offers a balance of strength and cost-effectiveness
✓ Suitable for a wide range of structural and engineering applications
IS Code |
Grade |
Carbon Content |
Typical Applications |
IS 2063 |
SS400 |
0.25% |
General structural applications, welded structures, machinery frames. |
IS 2063 |
SS410 |
0.25% |
Automotive parts, machinery components requiring good formability. |
IS 1224 |
C30 |
0.30% |
General engineering, structural applications. |
IS 1077 |
C45 |
0.45% |
Shafts, gears, bolts, mechanical parts. |
IS 2062 |
C55 |
0.55% |
Heavy-duty machinery, automotive components. |
IS 2062 |
C60 |
0.60% |
Springs, high-stress components, tools. |
IS 1077 |
C80 |
0.80% |
Cutting tools, high-strength wires, springs. |
IS 2062 |
C90 |
0.90% |
Specialized tools, dies, high-wear components. |
IS 2062 |
Q235 |
0.17-0.21% |
Construction beams, columns, general structural use. |
IS 2062 |
Q275 |
0.21-0.25% |
Structural applications requiring higher strength. |
IS 2062 |
Q345 |
0.21-0.25% |
Heavy construction, bridges, cranes, high-rise buildings. |
IS 1786 |
100Cr6 |
~1.0% |
Bearing manufacturing, high-wear applications. |
IS 1077 |
W1 |
~0.8-1.0% |
Water-hardening tools, high-strength applications. |
IS 304, IS 4535 |
Tool Steel |
Varies |
Cutting tools, dies, molds, and other tooling applications. |
Summary Table of Common Indian Carbon Steel Grades
Category |
IS Code |
Grade |
Carbon Content (%) |
Applications |
Low Carbon |
IS 2062 |
Q235 |
0.17-0.21% |
Construction, bridges, buildings |
Low Carbon |
IS 2063 |
SS400 |
0.25% |
Structural frameworks, machinery frames |
Medium Carbon |
IS 1077 |
C45 |
0.45% |
Shafts, gears, bolts |
Medium Carbon |
IS 2062 |
C55 |
0.55% |
Heavy machinery, automotive components |
High Carbon |
IS 1077 |
C80 |
0.80% |
Cutting tools, springs |
High Carbon |
IS 2062 |
C90 |
0.90% |
Dies, high-wear components |
Structural Steels |
IS 2062 |
Q275, Q345 |
0.21-0.25% |
Heavy construction, cranes, high-rise buildings |
Bearing Steels |
IS 1786 |
100Cr6 |
~1.0% |
Ball bearings, roller bearings |
Tool Steels |
IS 304, IS 4535 |
Various |
Varies |
Cutting tools, dies, molds |
Additional Notes
Indian Standards (IS)
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) publishes standards for various materials, including carbon steels. The IS 2062 standard is one of the most widely used for structural carbon steels.
AISI/SAE Grades
While Indian markets predominantly use IS grades, AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) grades like AISI 1018, AISI 1045, and AISI 1080 are also available and used, especially in specialized manufacturing and engineering sectors.
Hot Rolled vs. Cold Rolled
Carbon steels are available in both hot-rolled and cold-rolled forms. Hot-rolled steels are typically used for structural applications, whereas cold-rolled steels are used where precise dimensions and superior surface finishes are required.
Surface Treatments
Many carbon steel grades undergo surface treatments such as galvanization, painting, or powder coating to enhance corrosion resistance and surface durability, especially for structural and outdoor applications.
Conclusion
India's carbon steel market is robust, with a wide range of grades available to meet diverse industrial requirements. Understanding the specific IS codes and their corresponding properties is crucial for selecting the appropriate grade for your application. For precise specifications and standards, referring to the latest Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)publications is recommended.
If you have specific requirements or need further assistance in selecting the right carbon steel grade for your application, feel free to ask!