Question

What are the advantages of plain carbon steels over alloy steels?

(a) Inexpensive but hard to handle

(b) Expensive but easy to handle

(c) Inexpensive and easy to handle

(d) There are no advantages of plain carbon steels

The question was asked in an international level competition.

The above asked question is from Fick’s Law, Carbon Steels topic in division Diffusion in Solids & Ferrous Materials of Engineering Material & Metallurgy

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) Inexpensive and easy to handle

Explanation: Carbon steels are made of compositions having a limited quantity of elements. Due to factors such as common elements, limited quantities, and low strength, carbon steels are much cheaper than alloying steels.