Density of Steel: Mild and Carbon Steel Density (lb/in³ & kg/m³)

by AMC

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Posted on August 03, 2024 at 12:40 PM

What is the Density of Steel?

Steel has a density of approximately 7.85 g/cm³ or 7850 kg/m³, which is about 490 pounds per cubic foot. This high density makes steel a strong and reliable material, ideal for demanding construction projects. Suppliers like Buy A Beam offer high-quality steel beams and columns with impressive load capacities.

When purchasing steel online, it’s important to know key details such as dimensions, weight, and density. Understanding these aspects helps ensure you make a wise investment in steel that will provide exceptional performance and versatility.

What is Density?

Density is a measure of how much matter is packed into a given space. Materials vary in density, with some being more compact than others. For instance, steel is much denser than many other materials because its molecules are tightly packed together.

In scientific terms, density is the mass of a material divided by its volume. The formula for density is:

Density (p)=Mass (m)Volume (V)\text{Density (p)} = \frac{\text{Mass (m)}}{\text{Volume (V)}}Density (p)=Volume (V)Mass (m)

This means density is calculated by dividing the mass of the material by how much space it occupies.

Density is considered an intensive property, which means it remains constant regardless of the amount of material. So, whether you have a small piece or a large piece of steel, its density will be the same.

What is Steel’s Density?

Steel has a density of 7.85 g/cm³, making it much denser than many other metals. 

For example, steel is twice as dense as titanium and three times as dense as aluminum. This high density contributes to steel's strength and durability, making it a popular choice for construction materials like beams and columns.

Steel’s density also plays a significant role in its versatility. It's used in a range of applications, including railings, gates, and frames, thanks to its strength and affordability. Steel is not only strong but also environmentally friendly and resistant, which adds to its appeal.

Understanding Steel’s Density

The density of steel is closely related to the formation of bonds within its alloy. For example, mild steel, a type of carbon steel, has a density of around 7.8 g/cm³. This density is influenced by the amount of carbon present in the steel. In carbon steel alloys, the carbon content typically ranges from 0.16% to 0.29%.

Carbon levels affect the density and properties of steel. For instance:

• Mild Steel: With a good amount of carbon, mild steel has a density of about 7.8 g/cm³.
• Carbon Content: Higher carbon content generally results in increased density, leading to greater strength and hardness. However, it can also reduce ductility.

Density plays a crucial role in determining the steel's characteristics, such as:

• Tensile Strength: Higher density usually means greater resistance to deformation.
• Hardness: Increased density can lead to harder steel, though it might be less ductile.
• Appearance and Properties: Mild steel has a dark appearance due to high carbon content, and its hardness varies with carbon levels. It is also more prone to rust and less suitable for extreme temperatures.

For engineers, understanding the density of steel is essential when selecting materials for various applications. Different steels and alloys have different densities, which influence their suitability for industries such as oil & gas, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

We have categorized popular steel grades into 10 groups for ease of reference:

1. Carbon Steel
2. Mild Steel
3. Alloy Steel (Low & Medium)
4. Stainless Steel
5. Duplex & Super Duplex Steel
6. Nickel Alloys
7. Titanium Alloys
8. Copper & Copper Nickel
9. Brass
10. Aluminum

Understanding these categories helps in selecting the right steel for specific industrial needs.

Density of Carbon Steel Pipes in kg/m3 and lb/in3

Density of Carbon Steel

ASTM	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
ASTM A53 Grade B	7,85	0.283 lb/in3
ASTM A106 Grade B	7,86	0.284 lb/in3

Density of Mild Steel

MS Grades	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
ASTM A572	7,966	0.282
IS 1239 IS 3589	7,860	0.283
IS 2062	7,850	0.283
ASTM A36	7,800	0.281

Density of Alloy Steel (Low/ Medium)

Grades	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
Low Alloy Steel	7,500 to 8,080	0.271 to 0.292
Medium Alloy Steel	6,600 to 7,860	0.238 to 0.284
P9 Pipe (9 Cr-1 Mo Alloy Steel)	7,850	0.283
P11 Pipe (1-1/4 Cr-1/2 Mo Alloy Steel)	7,850	0.283

Density of Stainless Steel

SS	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
201 202 301 302 303 304 304L 304LN 305	7,930 kg/m3	0.286 lb/in³
309S 310S 316 316L 316Ti 316LN 317 317L 347	7,980 kg/m3	0.288 lb/in³
SS 904L	7,980 kg/m3	0.288 lb/in³
321	8,027 kg/m3	0.289 lb/in³
403 410 410S 416 431	7,750 kg/m3	0.280 lb/in³
440A	7,740 kg/m3	0.280 lb/in³
440C	7,620 kg/m3	0.275 lb/in³
420	7,730 kg/m3	0.280 lb/in³
439 430 430F	7,700 kg/m3	0.278 lb/in³
434	7,740 kg/m3	0.280 lb/in³
444	7,750 kg/m3	0.280 lb/in³
405	7,720 kg/m3	0.279 lb/in³
17-4PH (martensitic)	7,750 kg/m3	0.279 lb/in³
17-7 PH (semi-austenitic)	7,810 kg/m3	0.282 lb/in³

Density of Duplex & Super Duplex Steel

Grades	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
DSS 2205 (UNS S31803)	7,800	0.282
SDSS 2507 (UNS S32750)	7,850	0.284
A286 Grade 660 (UNS S66286)	7,920	0.286
254 SMO (UNS S31254)	8,100	0.292

Density of Nickel Alloys

Grades	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
Ni 200/ 201	8890	0.321
Monel 400 (UNS N04400)	8860	0.320
Monel K500 (UNS N05500)	8300	0.299
Inconel 600 (UNS N06600)	8410	0.303
Inconel 601 (UNS N06601)	8050	0.290
Inconel 625 (UNS N06625)	8440	0.304
Inconel 718 (UNS N07718)	8220	0.296
Alloy 20 (N08020)	8050	0.290
Incoloy 800/H/HT (UNS N08800, N08810, and N08811)	8030	0.290
Incoloy 825 (UNS N08825)	8140	0.294
Hastelloy C276 (UNS N10276)	8870	0.320
Hastelloy C22 (UNS N06022)	8690	0.313

Titanium Alloys Density

Grades	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
Grade 2 Titanium (UNS R50400)	4,510	0.162
Grade 9 Titanium (UNS R56320)	4,480	0.161

Copper & Copper Nickel Density

Grades	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
Free-Cutting Brass (UNS C36000)	8,490	0.307
Cartridge Brass (UNS C26000)	8,530	0.308

Density of Brass

Grades	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
Free-Cutting Brass (UNS C36000)	8,490	0.307
Cartridge Brass (UNS C26000)	8,530	0.308

Density of Aluminium

Grades	Density in kg/m3	Density in lb/in3
2040	2800	0.101
3560	2680	0.096
4430	2700	0.097
1060	2705	0.097
1100	2710	0.097
2014	2800	0.101
2024	2780	0.100
3003	2730	0.098
3004	2720	0.098
5052	2680	0.096
5083	2660	0.096
5086	2660	0.096
5154	2660	0.096
5254	2660	0.096
5454	2690	0.097
5456	2660	0.096
5652	2670	0.096
6061	2700	0.097
6063	2700	0.097

How to Calculate Density

To calculate the density of steel, use the following straightforward formula:

Density (D)=Mass (M)Volume (V)\text{Density (D)} = \frac{\text{Mass (M)}}{\text{Volume (V)}}Density (D)=Volume (V)Mass (M)

Where:

• Density (D) is measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) in metric units.
• Mass (M) is measured in kilograms (kg).
• Volume (V) is measured in cubic meters (m³).

D = m/v

Converting Units

1. Convert g/cm³ to kg/m³:
   If you have the density in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) and need to convert it to kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³), use this conversion factor:
• 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³
2. Simply multiply the density value by 1000 to get the value in kg/m³.
3. Convert lbs/in³ to kg/m³:
   In the US, density might be measured in pounds per cubic inch (lbs/in³). To convert this to kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³), use the conversion factor:
• 1 lb/in³ = 27,679.9 kg/m³
4. Multiply the density value in lbs/in³ by 27,679.9 to get the equivalent value in kg/m³.

Steel Density lb/in3

Steel Name	Density (g/cm3)	Density (lb/in3)
AISI 1020	7.87 g/cm3	0.284 lb/in3
AISI 1045	7.85 g/cm3	0.283 lb/in3
AISI 1018	7.87 g/cm3	0.284 lb/in3
ASTM A36	7.85 g/cm3	0.283 lb/in3
C45	7.85 g/cm3	0.283 lb/in3
S45C	7.85 g/cm3	0.283 lb/in3
AISI 1045	7.85 g/cm3	0.283 lb/in3
AISI 1010	7.87 g/cm3	0.284 lb/in3

Density of Carbon Stee

Type of Steel	Density (g/cm³)	Density (lb/in³)	High Carbon Steel
Plain Carbon Steel	7.75 to 8.05	0.280 to 0.291	7.75 to 8.05
Low Carbon Steel (Mild Steel)	7.85	0.284	0.280 to 0.291

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