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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,785 Likes: 673
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,785 Likes: 673 |
From Google
As a general rule, carbon steel is tougher and harder than most stainless steel. This is primarily due to the higher carbon content in carbon steel.
However, it's important to consider:
Varieties of Steel: Both stainless steel and carbon steel have different grades with varying properties. For example, some martensitic stainless steels can be heat treated to become very hard.
Ductility vs. Hardness: While carbon steel is generally harder, stainless steel often exhibits greater ductility, meaning it can deform without fracturing.
Applications: The choice between carbon and stainless steel depends on the specific application. Carbon steel is often preferred for applications requiring high strength and hardness, like cutting tools. Stainless steel, with its corrosion resistance, is suitable for applications where preventing rust is crucial.
In summary, while there are exceptions, carbon steel typically exhibits greater hardness compared to most stainless steel grades.
I think it is safe to say in the context of carbon barrels and stainless steel products designed for the cleaning of barrels or other carbon steel products the alloy used would be softer than the carbon steel it is designed for.
I am aware having spent over 45 years in the aerospace industry that in special applications fasteners etc. were manufactured in stainless to be extremely hard.
In those cases the price for these items were crazy expensive. All steel is an alloy of iron and carbon that contains less than 2% carbon, even stainless steel. There are literally thousands of different steel alloys, and some are alloyed with enough chrome (usually above 10.5%) that provides them with sufficient corrosion resistant properties that they are classified as stainless steels. Stainless steel may also be alloyed with other elements to provide other properties in addition to corrosion resistance. And there are many alloys of so-called carbon steel that can be easily deformed without cracking and fracturing. The stamping industry uses millions of tons of so-called carbon steel to stamp out car parts, appliances, toys, etc. And of course, the correct alloys of stainless steel are also easily stamped or deformed to make pots and pans, etc. It can be misleading to make rash generalities when speaking about steel, and the difference can be like night and day. When I worked in an integrated Steel Mill, I'd have no hesitation about doing repairs near a mill that was running Hot-Rolled 1005, but wouldn't wish to be anywhere close if the same mill was rolling the steel used to make cluster bombs and grenades. That stuff would sometimes fracture and fly through sheet metal walls even while it was still glowing orange. I wish I had paid attention to the spec sheets to know exactly what alloy it was. I recently bent some 3/16" stainless plate in a hydraulic press brake, and had to increase the bend radius to keep it from cracking. Heating would have been another option, but I didn't have the means to evenly heat a 7 1/2 ft. length at the time. It was so hard that drilling holes with good quality high speed steel bits was impossible. Titanium Nitride coated bits also were quickly ruined, and it was very difficult with cobalt bits. I totally agree that an astute manufacturer of stainless steel bore brushes would likely choose a suitable alloy that wouldn't damage gun barrels in common use. My comment was directed at this misleading blanket statement about stainless steel vs. carbon steel... which remains largely incorrect, and is far different than your "general rule" found in a Google search. Stainless steel is softer than carbon steel. Should not be any issue.
Voting for anti-gun Democrats is dumber than giving treats to a dog that shits on a Persian Rug
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,785 Likes: 673
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,785 Likes: 673 |
From Google
As a general rule, carbon steel is tougher and harder than most stainless steel. This is primarily due to the higher carbon content in carbon steel.
However, it's important to consider:
Varieties of Steel: Both stainless steel and carbon steel have different grades with varying properties. For example, some martensitic stainless steels can be heat treated to become very hard.
Ductility vs. Hardness: While carbon steel is generally harder, stainless steel often exhibits greater ductility, meaning it can deform without fracturing.
Applications: The choice between carbon and stainless steel depends on the specific application. Carbon steel is often preferred for applications requiring high strength and hardness, like cutting tools. Stainless steel, with its corrosion resistance, is suitable for applications where preventing rust is crucial.
In summary, while there are exceptions, carbon steel typically exhibits greater hardness compared to most stainless steel grades.
I think it is safe to say in the context of carbon barrels and stainless steel products designed for the cleaning of barrels or other carbon steel products the alloy used would be softer than the carbon steel it is designed for.
I am aware having spent over 45 years in the aerospace industry that in special applications fasteners etc. were manufactured in stainless to be extremely hard.
In those cases the price for these items were crazy expensive. All steel is an alloy of iron and carbon that contains less than 2% carbon, even stainless steel. There are literally thousands of different steel alloys, and some are alloyed with enough chrome (usually above 10.5%) that provides them with sufficient corrosion resistant properties that they are classified as stainless steels. Stainless steel may also be alloyed with other elements to provide other properties in addition to corrosion resistance. And there are many alloys of so-called carbon steel that can be easily deformed without cracking and fracturing. The stamping industry uses millions of tons of so-called carbon steel to stamp out car parts, appliances, toys, etc. And of course, the correct alloys of stainless steel are also easily stamped or deformed to make pots and pans, etc. It can be misleading to make rash generalities when speaking about steel, and the difference can be like night and day. When I worked in an integrated Steel Mill, I'd have no hesitation about doing repairs near a mill that was running Hot-Rolled 1005, but wouldn't wish to be anywhere close if the same mill was rolling the steel used to make cluster bombs and grenades. That stuff would sometimes fracture and fly through sheet metal walls even while it was still glowing orange. I wish I had paid attention to the spec sheets to know exactly what alloy it was. I recently bent some 3/16" stainless plate in a hydraulic press brake, and had to increase the bend radius to keep it from cracking. Heating would have been another option, but I didn't have the means to evenly heat a 7 1/2 ft. length at the time. It was so hard that drilling holes with good quality high speed steel bits was impossible. Titanium Nitride coated bits also were quickly ruined, and it was very difficult with cobalt bits. I totally agree that an astute manufacturer of stainless steel bore brushes would likely choose a suitable alloy that wouldn't damage gun barrels in common use. My comment was directed at this misleading blanket statement about stainless steel vs. carbon steel... which remains largely incorrect, and is far different than your "general rule" found in a Google search. Stainless steel is softer than carbon steel. Should not be any issue.
Voting for anti-gun Democrats is dumber than giving treats to a dog that shits on a Persian Rug
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