Which type of steel is most likely to experience cracking issues?

Coarse grain steels are more likely to experience cracking issues compared to other types of steel due to their microstructural characteristics. The grain size in steels is a significant factor influencing their mechanical properties. Coarse grain steels tend to have larger, less stable microstructural grains which can lead to a higher susceptibility to stress concentrations and, subsequently, cracking under certain conditions.

When under stress or exposed to harsh environments, coarse grains can create defects that propagate more easily compared to finer grain structures. In contrast, fine grain steels, which have smaller grains, typically exhibit improved toughness and would generally be less vulnerable to cracking due to their enhanced ability to absorb energy and resist crack initiation.

Additionally, while stainless steels and carbon steels have their own unique properties and potential modes of failure, they are not inherently more likely to crack compared to the coarse grain steels under equivalent conditions. The specific microstructure of coarse grain steel makes it a key concern in terms of maintaining integrity, especially in applications involving high stress, temperature fluctuations, or corrosive environments.