SPRING 2024

14
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Rob LaPointe EXPEDITE TESTING SERVICE
Rob LaPointe is a noted authority in materials and fastener technology. With extensive experience in the
management and science of materials testing laboratories combined with master’s degrees in physics and
education, he excels at bringing solutions to the client. Working specifically in the fastener testing industry,
he has developed expertise in mechanical, nondestructive, metallurgical and chemical testing. With a
background of 20 years in physics education, Rob is effective at communicating complex ideas in a simple
and understandable manner, communicating well with clients enabling them to make informed decisions
about their products and business. Rob is President/CEO of Expedite Testing Service, 11645 Riverside Drive,
Suite 127, Lakeside, CA 92040. Tel: 619-736-7872, Cell: 909-254-1278 or visit www.expeditetest.com.
FASTENER SCIENCE:
THE ROLE OF CARBON IN STEEL
Very occasionally, I get a fortune cookie with a
meaningful message inside. Most of the time it is
something idyllic or self-affirming that you can choose to
believe about yourself and have a temporary and, most
often, undeserved feel-good moment. A few months
ago, my family and I were getting some Chinese food
while waiting on a car repair and I got this one (Figure
1). “Character is to man what carbon is to steel.” As
we shared our fortune cookie messages, everyone at
the table gasped and said, “you’re joking, it does not
say that.” I have a minor reputation for spoofing fortune
cookie messages. I smiled and responded, “No, this
one’s for real, “as I turned it to show them its message.
Everyone laughed as they thought it was so well targeted
toward my interest in materials science and my passion
for self-improvement. I’ve thought about that message
a few times since then and pondered its insight. It’s
TABLE 1 IRON ALLOYS
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
FIGURE 1 FORTUNE COOKIE MESSAGE
interesting what role carbon plays in steel and how
often I consider carbon’s role in steel while working with
fastener products and the materials with which they’re
made.
Steel is an alloy, meaning it is a mixture of two or more
metals that are combined to provide a more desirable
product with increased durability, flexibility, hardness,
and strength. Steel can be divided into the categories
of low alloy steel and high alloy steel by considering
its alloying elements. Low alloy steel, or carbon steel,
as it’s often called, is an iron-based alloy containing
mostly iron (Fe), with small amounts of
carbon (C) and manganese (Mn), and
even smaller amounts of phosphorous
(P) and sulfur (S). Carbon steel can
be categorized into low, medium, and
high carbon content (Table 1) with castiron
having the most carbon. High alloy
steel has additional alloying elements to
enhance its performance beyond low alloy
steel.
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