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Carbon Steel
Industries use carbon steel in manufacturing worldwide, including aerospace, aircraft and automotive industries. Its high strength makes the manufactured components safe and reliable. Carbon steel is a high alloy steel made of malleable, iron-based metal containing carbon, small amounts of manganese and other elements. It is a heavy steel grade but also the softest and is less expensive than other grades.
Stainless Steel
The two most common grades of stainless steel are type 304 and 316. Type 304 provides corrosion resistance in numerous standard services. Type 316 is similar to 304 but contains molybdenum, a metallic element used to toughen alloy steels, to protect against deterioration. Some of the uses of the two grades of stainless steel are the manufacturing of cooking utensils, food processing equipment, exterior architecture, equipment for the chemical industry, truck trailers and kitchen sinks. Its surface is easy to clean with no pores to harbor dirt. It is not stainless, but a dark metal which is stain resistant and looks bright because it reflects light.
Marine Grade Stainless Steel
Marine grade stainless steel will not corrode in salt water or cold wet temperatures, even over several years. If you are building an inland deck, type 305 marine grade is ideal. You would use type 316 if your deck will be exposed to sea water. Your deck will require protection against corrosion from a chloride environment. Compared to other stainless steel types, 316 possesses the highest strength and corrosion resistance, even at elevated temperatures. For this reason it is used in marine and aircraft industries.
Carbide Steel
The carbide grades of steel are the least expensive. Carbide is used to make tools for working with wood, metal and cement. It cuts fiberglass, plywood, masonite and other abrasive metals. As a tool, it is either solid or tipped. Solid carbide tools are expensive and used in spiral tools. Tipped carbide tools cut fast at high speeds for high production and are impervious to the heat produced during the process.