Are the strength and hardness of carbon steel related to the carbon content?

Carbon steel is an alloy of iron and carbon with a carbon content between 0.0218% and 2.11%. This material is also known as carbon steel. In addition to the main carbon and iron elements, carbon steel usually contains small amounts of other elements such as silicon, manganese, sulfur and phosphorus. The presence of these elements has an effect on the properties of carbon steel.

In general, the higher the carbon content in carbon steel, the greater its hardness, the higher the strength. This is because carbon is the main element that enhances the hardness and strength of steel. However, as the carbon content increases, the plasticity of carbon steel decreases. Plasticity refers to the ability of a material to deform without breaking when stressed. Therefore, although high carbon steel has high strength and high hardness, its plasticity is poor and it is not suitable for occasions where a large amount of deformation is required.