070M20 Carbon Steel | EN3A Mild Steel Supplier in UAE – Nifty Alloys LLC

When your engineering projects demand a reliable, versatile, and cost-effective material, understanding your options is critical. 070M20 carbon steel, also known as EN3A, stands out as a premier choice for general-purpose applications. Classified as a low carbon, unalloyed mild steel, it offers an exceptional balance of machinability, weldability, and formability. This steel is frequently specified for manufacturing components like shafts, bolts, studs, and various machine parts where high tensile strength is not the primary requirement. 

For engineers, manufacturers, and procurement managers, sourcing high-quality materials is essential for operational success. At Nifty Alloys LLC, we are a leading supplier and stockist of 070M20 carbon steel in the UAE, providing certified materials that meet rigorous international standards. We ensure that you receive products with consistent performance and full traceability, supporting your projects from start to finish. 

This guide provides a comprehensive technical overview of 070M20 carbon steel properties, from its chemical composition and mechanical characteristics to its heat treatment processes and common applications. 

What is 070M20 Carbon Steel? 

070M20 is a general engineering steel grade designated under the British Standard BS 970: 1991. It is a low carbon mild steel, characterized by a typical carbon content of approximately 0.20%. This specific composition gives the material its defining features: excellent machinability and superior weldability, making it one of the most user-friendly steels for fabrication and manufacturing. 

Its properties make it suitable for components that do not require the high strength of alloyed or high-carbon steels. For engineers, this means 070M20 provides a dependable and economical solution for a wide array of lightly stressed parts. It is often used in its as-supplied condition but can also be carburized to achieve a hard, wear-resistant surface while maintaining a tough, ductile core. This dual characteristic makes it highly adaptable for applications requiring surface durability without sacrificing the material's inherent formability. 

When you compare 070M20 to other carbon steel grades, its advantages become clear. For example, while a grade like 080M40 (EN8) offers higher tensile strength due to its increased carbon and manganese content, it is less forgiving to machine and weld. Conversely, a grade like 080A15 offers slightly better cold forming properties but at the cost of lower strength. 070M20 occupies a practical middle ground, delivering a balanced performance profile that serves countless engineering needs. Its equivalence to the EN3A steel grade ensures it is a well-recognized and readily available material across global supply chains. 

Key Features and Advantages 

Choosing 070M20 for your components offers several distinct advantages that streamline manufacturing processes and reduce costs. 

• Excellent Machinability: Its low carbon content and soft structure allow for high-speed machining with minimal tool wear. This makes it a preferred material for complex parts requiring extensive cutting, drilling, or turning. 
• Superior Weldability: 070M20 can be easily welded using all conventional methods, including MIG, TIG, and stick welding, without the need for pre-heating or post-weld heat treatment in most cases. 
• Cost-Effective Solution: As a general-purpose mild steel, it is one of the most economical engineering materials available, providing reliable performance for non-critical components. 
• Good Formability: The steel demonstrates good ductility, enabling it to be cold-worked, bent, and forged into various shapes without risk of cracking. 
• Suitable for Carburizing: You can significantly enhance the surface hardness and wear resistance of 070M20 through case hardening (carburizing) while the core remains tough and shock-resistant. 
• Consistent Performance: Due to its simple, unalloyed composition, 070M20 delivers predictable and consistent performance, ensuring dimensional stability and reliability in finished parts.