What is Mild Steel? Grades, Properties, Applications
- Fortran Steel
- Sep 18
- 11 min read
Updated: Sep 24
Mild steel is one of the most widely used materials in the metal industry today. Known for its low carbon content and easy workability, it offers a practical mix of strength, weldability, and cost-efficiency. From construction beams and machinery parts to pipelines and fabrication units, its presence is everywhere.
With infrastructure spending on the rise and industrial output scaling up, the demand for mild steel in India in 2025 is expected to remain strong. Industries across sectors are relying on it for reliable performance at a competitive price point.
In this blog, we’ll cover what makes mild steel unique, the different types and grades, key properties to know, where it’s used, and how to choose the right supplier for your needs.
What is Mild Steel?
Mild steel is a type of low-carbon steel that contains only a small percentage of carbon, typically between 0.05% and 0.25%. This limited carbon content gives it a softer, more ductile nature compared to higher-carbon steels, making it easier to cut, bend, weld, and form without cracking.
The composition of mild steel primarily includes iron and carbon, along with trace amounts of elements like manganese, silicon, and sulfur. These additions help improve strength, machinability, and overall consistency, without significantly affecting its weldability or cost.
Mild steel belongs to the broader family of carbon steels but sits at the lower end in terms of hardness and brittleness.
Unlike stainless steel, it doesn’t contain chromium or nickel and is more prone to corrosion. And compared to high-carbon steel, it trades off edge retention and hardness for better flexibility and ease of use in fabrication and structural applications.
Its balance of formability, affordability, and strength is what makes it a preferred choice across industries like construction, automotive, manufacturing, and consumer goods.
Mild Steel Grades and Classifications
Mild steel is widely used across industrial, structural, automotive, and engineering applications due to its low carbon content, easy machinability, and cost-effectiveness.
The classification of mild steel is typically based on its chemical composition, mechanical properties, and application standards.
At Fortran Steel, we supply a diverse range of mild steel grades suitable for everything from precision machining to heavy fabrication.
Commonly Used Mild Steel Grades Available at Fortran Steel
We stock and supply several AISI/SAE mild steel grades used in Indian and international markets:
Grade | Description | Common Applications |
Low carbon content, excellent formability, good weldability | Automotive parts, light fabrication, furniture | |
General-purpose low-carbon steel, good surface finish and machinability | Shafts, fasteners, pins, bushings | |
Medium carbon content, higher strength than 1018 | Forgings, structural parts, gears | |
Medium carbon steel with higher hardness and tensile strength | Axles, gears, connecting rods, bolts | |
High-carbon steel with excellent strength and wear resistance | Springs, saw blades, industrial tools | |
Manganese steel for parts requiring high strength and impact resistance | Crankshafts, forgings, high-load components |
We also supply special-purpose steels classified under mild steel categories, including:
Spring Steel – Known for elasticity and fatigue resistance, used in clips, springs, and suspension parts.
Free Cutting Steel – Ideal for high-speed machining, used in gears, spindles, and fasteners.
Ball Bearing Steel – High-purity, wear-resistant steel for rolling components and bearing elements.
Standard Structural Grades in Mild Steel
For structural and fabrication needs, mild steel is also classified under national and international standards. These include:
IS 2062 (India) – Widely used in structural applications. Available in grades such as:
E250 (A/B/C) – Minimum yield strength of 250 MPa
E350 and E410 – For higher strength requirements These are used in bridges, buildings, frames, and heavy machinery.
ASTM A36 (USA) – A standard structural grade with good strength and weldability. Commonly used in construction beams, plates, and frames.
EN 10025 S275 / S355 (Europe) – European structural grades used in engineering, construction, and heavy fabrication. S355 offers higher strength than S275 and is suitable for load-bearing applications.
Key Properties of Mild Steel
Mild steel offers a practical set of properties that make it suitable for both structural and fabrication purposes. Its low carbon content gives it flexibility and ease of processing, while its strength is sufficient for most load-bearing and general industrial needs.
These core characteristics are what keep it in high demand across various sectors, including construction, automotive, and engineering.
Key Properties
The strength of mild steel usually ranges from 250 MPa to 350 MPa in yield.
Offers good elongation, moderate hardness, and impact resistance.
Highly weldable, with excellent machinability and formability.
Conducts electricity and is magnetic.
Requires coating or treatment for corrosion protection.
Read Next – Stainless Steel vs. Aluminium: What To Choose?
Mild Steel Applications Across Industries
Mild steel is one of the most widely used materials in industrial and commercial sectors due to its strength, flexibility, and affordability. It plays a vital role in both large-scale infrastructure projects and everyday manufacturing processes.
Thanks to its excellent formability and weldability, mild steel for fabrication is a common choice across industries that require custom components or mass production.
Key Application Areas
Construction – Used in beams, columns, reinforcement bars, roofing structures, and support frames.
Automotive – Found in chassis parts, car bodies, engine mounts, and brackets.
Fabrication & Machinery – Ideal for frames, tanks, enclosures, and general-purpose engineered parts.
Furniture & Appliances – Common in racks, shelves, steel tables, home appliances, and fittings.
Shipbuilding & Transport – Used in hull plating, decks, rail components, and marine structures.
Agriculture & Equipment – Applied in ploughs, tools, storage silos, and fencing materials.
Mild steel’s adaptability allows it to serve both high-load industrial functions and lightweight product manufacturing across sectors.
Mild Steel Products Offered by Fortran Steel
At Fortran Steel, we offer a complete range of mild steel products to support construction, fabrication, infrastructure, and engineering projects. All our products are available in standard sizes and can also be customized for bulk requirements.
Whether you need structural bars, precision wires, or coated sheets, we supply high-quality materials that meet industry standards.
1. MS Hot Rolled Bars
Used in construction, fabrication, and industrial frameworks:
MS Round Bars Shafts, reinforcement, and general fabrication
MS Square Bars Gates, grills, support structures
MS Hexagonal Bars Fasteners, bolts, and machine components
MS Flat Bars Frames, base plates, and braces
MS Bulb Flat Bars Marine and shipbuilding applications
MS TMT Bars RCC construction and high-stress zones
2. MS Bright Bars
Smooth, precision-drawn bars with better dimensional tolerance:
MS Bright Round Bars Tooling, machining, and shafts
MS Bright Square Bars Decorative applications and supports
MS Bright Hex Bars Used in nuts, bolts, and CNC parts
MS Bright Flat Bars
Control panels, brackets, and fabrication
3. MS Wires
Used for fencing, binding, welding, and light engineering tasks.Includes: MS Flat Wires, HB/HHB Wires, Annealed Wires, CO₂ Welding Wires.
4. MS Sheets and Coils
Raw materials for roofing, ducting, tanks, and fabrication. Available in: Cold Rolled Sheets, HRPO Coils, GI Sheets, PPGI Sheets, Boiler Quality Plates.
5. MS TMT and GI Threaded Bars Ideal for reinforcement, anchoring, and corrosion-prone environments. Types include: TMT Threaded Bars and Galvanized Threaded Bars.
For all your mild steel product requirements, Fortran Steel provides trusted quality, flexible order sizes, and reliable delivery across India and international markets.
Mild Steel vs Other Steel Types
Understanding the differences between steel types is essential when selecting materials for engineering or fabrication.
Each steel variant, mild steel, stainless steel, and high carbon steel, has unique properties suited to different environments.
Feature | Mild Steel | Stainless Steel | Carbon Steel | Alloy Steel |
Carbon Content | Low (0.05%–0.25%) | Low to High (Varies) | High (Above 0.5%) | Varies (Low to Medium) |
Cost | Low | High | Moderate | Moderate to High |
Corrosion Resistance | Low | High | Moderate | Depends on alloying elements |
Weldability | Excellent | Good | Depends on grade | Good to Moderate |
Tensile Strength | Moderate | High | High | High |
Ductility | High | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
Machinability | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate to Poor | Moderate |
When evaluating carbon steel vs mild steel, the primary difference lies in carbon content and hardness. Carbon steel is stronger and harder but more brittle and less weldable.
On the other hand, the strength of mild steel compared to stainless steel depends on the grade, but stainless steel usually has higher tensile strength and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for harsher conditions.
How is Mild Steel Manufactured in India?
The mild steel manufacturing process in India follows a well-established production flow that combines raw material selection, large-scale processing, and strict quality checks. Manufacturers focus on achieving consistency, strength, and cost-efficiency across all grades and product forms.
From blast furnaces to final cutting, each step is designed to meet industry standards and customer requirements.
Typical Manufacturing Steps:
Raw Material Charging – Iron ore, coke, and limestone are fed into the blast furnace to produce molten iron.
Primary Steelmaking – The molten iron is refined using the Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) to reduce impurities and control carbon levels.
Casting – The purified liquid steel is cast into billets, blooms, or slabs depending on the end product.
Hot Rolling and Cold Rolling – During the steel rolling and finishing process, the material is shaped through high-pressure rollers to create sheets, bars, coils, or sections. Cold rolling improves surface finish and dimensional accuracy.
Heat Treatment (if required) – Some grades may undergo controlled heating and cooling to improve mechanical properties.
Finishing and Surface Treatment – Includes pickling, oiling, galvanizing, or painting to protect against rust and prepare for final use.
Quality Control and Certification – BIS certifications, mechanical testing, and dimensional checks are carried out before dispatch.
India’s steel plants, both public and private, follow these steps while maintaining cost-efficiency and high output to serve the growing demand for mild steel across sectors.
Top Mild Steel Manufacturers and Suppliers in India (2025)
India is home to a robust network of mild steel manufacturers and suppliers, supporting both domestic infrastructure and international fabrication markets. With rising demand across construction, automotive, engineering, and industrial sectors, businesses rely on trusted mild steel suppliers in India to meet quality and delivery expectations.
As one of the established names in the steel industry, Fortran Steel excels for its consistent quality, wide product range, and customer-first approach.
Why Mild Steel Remains in High Demand?
Mild steel is known for its excellent weldability, strength-to-weight ratio, and affordability. That’s why it’s the preferred choice for:
Structural components like beams, columns, and frames
Automotive parts such as chassis, brackets, and reinforcements
Industrial fabrication involving pipes, plates, and flat bars
General engineering for machines, tools, and support structures
For such diverse needs, buyers count on reliable mild steel manufacturers in India who can deliver both standardized and custom steel products with proper certifications.
Fortran Steel – Trusted Mild Steel Supplier for Bulk and Custom Orders
At Fortran Steel, we specialize in high-quality mild steel products including:
MS Flats, Rounds, Angles, Squares
Mild Steel Plates and Sheets
Cut-to-size or fabricated steel components
We supply mild steel as per IS 2062, AISI/SAE, and other standard specifications. Our materials are available with mill test certificates (MTCs) and full traceability.
Whether you are sourcing for construction, engineering, automotive, or export needs, Fortran Steel is among the top mild steel suppliers in India offering fast delivery, technical support, and competitive pricing.
What Makes Fortran Steel a Preferred Mild Steel Manufacturer?
Wide Product Range – MS flat bars, round bars, sheets, angles, and structural steel
Bulk Order Support – Reliable delivery for large-volume orders across India and abroad
Certifications & Compliance – BIS-certified materials with MTC and test documentation
Custom Solutions – Sizes, grades, and finishes tailored to your project requirements
Pan-India Logistics – Fast dispatch and secure packaging from stockyards across regions
Export-Ready Services – Complete shipping documentation and port handling for global buyers
We help clients meet critical timelines and quality benchmarks. We’re a reliable name amongst bulk mild steel suppliers in India.
How to Choose the Right Mild Steel Supplier?
With hundreds of mild steel manufacturers in India, selecting the right partner can be the difference between delays and on-time delivery. Here’s what to evaluate:
Checklist | What to Look For |
Product Variety & Grades | MS flats, rounds, angles, and structural products with grade clarity |
Certifications | BIS-certified, MTC-backed, and traceable steel products |
MOQ & Volume Flexibility | Ability to serve small to bulk orders with price efficiency |
Delivery Reliability | Commitment to timeline, inventory readiness, and transparent lead times |
Customer Support | Easy communication, technical help, and dedicated sales coordination |
Export Capability | Knowledge of international standards and documentation for overseas orders |
At Fortran Steel, we tick every box and more. Our legacy, scale, and service make us a trusted partner for clients across industries.
With decades of industry experience, a nationwide presence, and a growing international footprint, Fortran Steel continues to lead as one of the top mild steel manufacturers in India.
Reach out for bulk quotes, technical details, or product catalogs.Your steel. Our strength.
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Conclusion
Mild steel stands out as one of the most reliable and cost-effective materials in today’s industrial world. Its combination of strength, flexibility, and easy fabrication makes it a smart choice for everything from construction and engineering to daily-use products. With the growing demand in 2025, businesses need trusted partners who can deliver consistent quality and timely supply.
At Fortran Steel, we offer a full range of mild steel grades, forms, and custom options to match your project needs. Whether you're building locally or exporting globally, we’re here to supply the steel you can count on.
FAQs
1. What is mild steel, and what is it made of?
Mild steel is a type of low-carbon steel made mostly from iron and 0.05% to 0.25% carbon. It may also contain small amounts of manganese, silicon, or sulfur to improve strength and workability.
2. How is mild steel different from stainless steel? Mild steel contains no chromium or nickel, making it less resistant to rust. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is corrosion-resistant and better suited for harsh or wet environments.
3. What is the difference between mild steel and carbon steel? Mild steel is a subcategory of carbon steel with low carbon content. High carbon steel has more carbon, which makes it harder but also more brittle and harder to weld.
4. What are the common grades of mild steel used in India? IS 2062 grade steel is widely used in India, especially grades like E250, E275, and E350. These are used in structural work, fabrication, and general engineering.
5. What are the key properties of mild steel? Mild steel properties include good strength, ductility, machinability, and excellent weldability. It’s also magnetic and easy to shape for various uses.
6. Is mild steel good for construction and fabrication? Yes, mild steel is widely used for both construction and fabrication projects. Its strength and flexibility make it ideal for beams, frames, and machine parts.
7. Can mild steel be used outdoors? Mild steel can be used outdoors, but it must be coated, galvanized, or painted to prevent corrosion, as it is not naturally resistant to rust.
8. What is the price of mild steel per kg in India (2025)? As of 2025, mild steel prices in India typically range between ₹55 to ₹70 per kg, depending on the product type, thickness, and grade.
9. Who are the top mild steel suppliers in India? Leading mild steel suppliers in India include Fortran Steel, SAIL, JSW, and Tata Steel. Fortran Steel is preferred for bulk orders and customizable product sizes.
10. Where can I buy mild steel flat bars in India? You can source mild steel flat bars from trusted manufacturers like Fortran Steel, which offers various sizes and thicknesses for fabrication and structural work.
11. Which mild steel grade is best for welding and machining? IS 2062 E250 and ASTM A36 are considered among the best grades for welding and machining due to their low carbon content and consistent performance.
12. What thicknesses are available in mild steel sheets and plates? Mild steel sheets typically range from 0.5 mm to 6 mm, while plates can go up to 50 mm or more, depending on the supplier and order volume.
13. Are there export-grade mild steel suppliers in India? Yes, several suppliers, including Fortran Steel, offer export-quality mild steel products with packaging, test certifications, and international delivery options.
14. How can I place a bulk order for mild steel products? To place a bulk order, contact suppliers like Fortran Steel with your required sizes, grades, and quantities. They typically provide fast quotations and dispatch timelines.
15. How do I choose the right mild steel supplier for my project? Look for suppliers with certified products, a wide range of grades, reliable delivery, and good customer support. Fortran Steel offers all of this, both for domestic and export clients.
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