Grades of Steel

Medium carbon steel with case hardened faces.

Richard

There are many types of hammer: ball-pein, claw, sledge; I don't think there is a single answer. Also, when you ask about grades of steel and applications, do you mean *hammer* applications or *all* steel applications.

Steel is so versatile because the properties depend firstly on the composition and secondly (in many cases) the heat treatment. They also depend on the mechanical history. So a bit more detail on your specific interests would be helpful.

This site gives you the various British and European Standards applicable to steels:

This gives guidance on specification and selection:

As you can see, there is not a simple answer to your question

This article though not comprehensive explains the difference between struc tural steels normally low carbon steels known as mild steels typically 0.25 % carbon and the carbon steels which have enough carbon present to allow he at treatment. As you can see the steels used to produce hammers fall into t he lower carbon content carbon steels or medium carbon steel 0.5 - 0.75% ca rbon content. Steels with a carbon content between 0.75 - 1.25% are known a s high carbon steels and are mainly used to make cutting tools where a shar p edge needs to be maintained.

Richard

Toffee hammer, food grade stainless 304/ 316 :)

Coal miners in the old days used to use a small hammer which they called a doggy hammer. I don't know what they used it for.

Bill

Hammering in a coal mine can be dangerous.