What type of commonly used AM metal is exceedingly strong due to high carbon levels?

The type of commonly used additive manufacturing metal that is exceedingly strong due to high carbon levels is tool steels. Tool steels are specifically designed to have high toughness and resistance to wear, which is achieved through the addition of carbon and other alloying elements. The higher carbon content in these steels allows for the formation of hard carbides, which contribute to their strength and durability. This makes tool steels particularly suitable for applications that require precise cutting and shaping tools, as they can withstand high stress and maintain sharp edges.

Stainless steels and carbon steels do contain carbon but typically do not have the same level of performance characteristics as tool steels when it comes to hardness and wear resistance. Cast iron, on the other hand, is generally strong but its properties differ significantly from those of tool steels, particularly in terms of its brittleness and suitability for tooling applications. The unique formulation of tool steels with high carbon levels provides the necessary attributes needed for applications in structural and tool manufacturing, highlighting why this is the correct choice.