Steel Grades
Count on our resources, network, and metallurgical expertise to find or match your grade.
Whatever steel grade you specify, we deliver. Consistently. And not just by the numbers. Our metallurgists develop and refine your grade to make it optimal for your application. Once we’ve zeroed in on what works best for you, every shipment performs to your expectations. Every time. With Worthington, you’ll find the right grade. And a better solution.
Interstitial Steel (EDDS, IF)
Highest formability, low strength. This steel is typically vacuum degassed and commonly stabilized with titanium or niobium. Required for deep-drawn complex parts that would split in the forming process if more carbon were present.
Plain Carbon Steel
Grades with varying amounts of carbon, 0.02% - 1.0%. Mild steel is typically used for high-forming applications, while high-carbon steels are typically used in applications that are heat-treated.
Alloy
Common alloys added: silicon, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, or chromium. Used when the application requires additional attributes such as toughness and wear-resistance. For instance, a high-carbon knife vs. an alloy knife: same strength and hardness, but the alloy stays sharp longer.
Structural
Grades made to a strength requirement. Adding carbon and manganese creates high strength and very low formability. Best for structural parts where strength is crucial, but formability isn't. Good for roll formed applications, corrugated panels, or right-angle bends.
HSLA
High-strength, low-alloy steel, also called microalloyed steel. Made with a small amount of vanadium, titanium, or columbium, adding strength without adding carbon. Meets high strength requirements, with more formability than basic structural grades.
AHSS / UHSS
Advanced high-strength steel, ultra-high strength steel. Like structural and HSLA steel, made to meet a strength requirement. Recommended when the steel needs to be even stronger than an HSLA with a similar amount of formability.
Boron
Makes it easier to achieve hardening through heat treating, often with a salt or oil quench for toughness. It is an economical option when only basic hardening is required. Used for hot stamping or when heat treatment is desired after forming.
Martensite
Often used exclusively in automotive crash protection, for bumper or side impact panels. This is for light gauge applications that are roll formed. This is a cost-effective solution vs. post-fabrication heat treatment.
Bake Hard
Low carbon grades to provide a good amount of formability but with phosphorous added so material hardens during paint curing process. Used exclusively for dent-resistant panels.
STEEL GRADES BY TYPE
Whatever grade you need, we make it consistent and reliable.
| Type | Common Grades | Products | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDDS | 1002 | Cold Rolled, Galvanized | oil pans, severe drawn parts, galvanized substrate |
| Low Carbon | 1006, 1008, 1010 | Cold Rolled, Galvanized | any bent, flat or limited formed application, tubing, off highway wheels |
| Medium Carbon | 1018, 1020, 1025, 1026 | Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled | drive train, drive shaft, bearings |
| High Carbon | 1030, 1035, 1050, 1055, 1070, 1074, 1075, 1080, 1095 | Cold Rolled | drivetrain, clutch, saw blades, bearings, brakes, knife blades |
| Alloy | 1524, 4130, 4140, 4150, 5120, 5140, 6150, 51crv4, 16mncr5, ams6385, 8665 | Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled | drivetrain, bearings, chain, sawblade, chainsaw blade, wear resistance, toughness requirements, heat-treated applications, aircraft brake components |
| Structural | grade33, grade36, grade40, grade50, grade55, grade60, grade70, grade80 | Hot Rolled, Galvanized | any application where specified strength requirements are needed, usually construction/building products, agriculture, solar, fencing, tubing, good for roll-formed applications, corrugated panels, or right-angle bends |
| HSLA / AHSS | grade45 (grade300), grade50 (grade340), grade60 (grade420), grade70 (grade490), grade80 (grade550), grade90 (grade620), grade100 (grade700), gradeDP590, gradeDP780, gradeMP760 | All | commonly used on automobiles, heavy truck, and select agricultural |
| UHSS (>980 MPa) | DP980, DP1180, hot stamping (boron steels), Gen 3 Steels | Cold Rolled, Galvanized | effectively creating a roll cage for the vehicle |
| Boron Grade | 15B22, 15B25, 15B27, 15B30, 10B21, 10B38 | Hot Rolled | press hardened applications, mower blades, ag plow applications |
| Martensite | M130, M190, M220, MS 1300, MS 1500, MS 1700 | Cold Rolled, Galvanized | drive train, safety applications, door panels |
| Bake Hard | BH180, BH210 | Cold Rolled, Galvanized | typically only automotive for dent resistance; provided as galvanized product |
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