What material is MS?
MS stands for Mild Steel. It refers to
low-carbon steel with a carbon content of ≤0.25%, containing a small amount of manganese, silicon and other elements. Due to its good machinability and economy, it is widely used in construction, manufacturing, automobile and other industries.
Features:
1. Moderate strength: tensile strength is about 370-500 MPa, and hardness is low.
2. Good plasticity and toughness: easy to stamp, bend, weld, and suitable for cold processing.
3. Low fatigue limit: not suitable for long-term high-frequency alternating stress.
4. Easy to rust: Low-carbon steel will oxidize quickly in a humid or corrosive environment, and usually requires surface galvanizing (GI), painting, anti-rust oil and other protective measures.
5. Low cost: Compared with stainless steel and alloy steel, low-carbon steel is cheap and suitable for large-scale use.
Advantages: low cost, easy processing (welding/cutting/bending), good toughness.
Disadvantages: poor corrosion resistance (needs galvanizing, painting and other anti-corrosion treatments).
Comparison:
Compared with stainless steel pipes (such as 304),
MS pipes are not rust-resistant, but are cheaper.
Compared with galvanized pipes (GI), MS pipes are more prone to rust when not galvanized.
Applications: building structures, pipelines, automobile bodies, daily metal products, etc.
Applications of mild steel (MS):
(1) Construction and structural engineering
Building structures: beams, columns, support frames, scaffolding, guardrails, temporary structures.
(2) Pipes and containers
Fluid transportation: water, gas, oil.
Oil tanks, gas tanks, gas storage tanks: usually use galvanized mild steel pipes (
GI Pipe), which require anti-corrosion coating.
(3) Automobile and machinery manufacturing
Machinery manufacturing: parts, gears (low load), bolts, etc.
Automobile/agricultural machinery: body frame, chassis, exhaust pipe (high temperature resistant coating required), agricultural machinery.
(4) Daily necessities
Hardware: nails, wire, hinges, door frames, etc.
Furniture: metal table legs, shelves, tool boxes, etc.
Household appliance shells: such as washing machine inner drum, refrigerator bracket (usually requires coating).
Low carbon steel vs. other common steels:
Low carbon steel (MS): carbon content ≤0.25%, medium strength, low hardness, excellent welding performance, poor corrosion resistance.
Medium carbon steel: carbon content is 0.3%~0.6%, high strength, medium hardness, general welding performance, poor corrosion resistance.
High carbon steel: carbon content is 0.6%~1.5%, high strength, high hardness, poor welding performance, poor corrosion resistance.
Stainless steel (304): carbon content ≤0.08%, medium strength, medium hardness, excellent welding performance (special welding materials required), excellent corrosion resistance.
Related standards:
Different countries/industries may have different specifications for MS pipes. Common standards include:
International: ASTM A53 (American standard), ISO 65 (international standard).
China: GB/T 3091 (welded steel pipe for low-pressure fluid delivery).
Other possible explanations:
In a few cases, "MS pipe" may also refer to:
Martensitic Stainless Steel Pipe:
Features: High carbon content (0.1~1.2%), high hardness and high strength obtained by quenching.
Corrosion resistance is lower than austenitic stainless steel (such as 304), but better than low carbon steel.
Use:
Used in high hardness and wear-resistant scenarios (such as knives, surgical instruments, mechanical parts), but must be clearly marked (such as 410, 420, 440 stainless steel).
Other possible meanings:
MS Plate: May refer to "Medium Steel Plate" in India and other regions.
How to confirm the material?
Check the identification: the code or label on the pipe body (such as "ASTM A53").
If it appears in construction or general engineering, it usually refers to low carbon steel.
If it involves knives and wear-resistant parts, it may refer to martensitic stainless steel.
Detection methods:
Magnetic test (low carbon steel is magnetic, austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic).
Composition analysis (carbon and chromium content is measured by spectrometer).