Mild Steel
Mild steel (also known as low-carbon steel) is the workhorse of the manufacturing industry. It offers an excellent balance of strength, formability, and cost, making it the default choice for everything from structural brackets to decorative panels. With carbon content typically below 0.25%, mild steel is easy to weld, bend, and laser cut. It machines well, accepts a wide range of surface finishes, and is readily available in sheet, plate, tube, and bar forms across Australia.
Key Properties
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | 400–550 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~250 MPa |
| Elongation | ~20% |
| Melting Point | 1,425–1,540°C |
| Magnetic | Yes |
Grades
| Property | HA250 | HA300 | HA350 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength | ≥250 MPa | ≥300 MPa | ≥350 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | ≥350 MPa | ≥400 MPa | ≥450 MPa |
| Elongation | 22% | 18% | 15% |
| Typical Use | General fabrication, brackets, enclosures | Structural, machinery, moderate loads | Heavy structural, mining, high-load |
HA250
The standard grade for general sheet metal fabrication. Good formability and weldability.
HA300
Higher strength grade for structural applications where more load-bearing capacity is needed.
HA350
High-strength structural grade used in demanding applications. Less formable than HA250.
Available Thicknesses
Common laser cutting thicknesses: 1.2mm, 1.6mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm. Thinner gauges available for light fabrication; heavier plate up to 25mm+ for structural work.
Fabrication Notes
Surface Finishes
Powder coating (most common), wet paint, zinc plating, hot-dip galvanising, blueing/blackening, clear coat. Raw mild steel will rust if left uncoated, so a protective finish is almost always required.
When to Choose Mild Steel
Choose mild steel when cost is a primary concern, the part will be painted or coated, structural strength is needed, or the application is indoors or protected from moisture. It is the default choice for brackets, frames, enclosures, guards, and general fabrication work.
Limitations
Mild steel rusts readily without a protective coating, making it unsuitable for exposed outdoor or marine environments unless galvanised or painted. It is significantly heavier than aluminium (roughly three times the density). Not suitable for food-contact or hygienic applications without appropriate coatings.
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