[TheForge] steel types

[jon.sloan]

All:
I do not know the different steel types as automatically as I should.
You folks toss off 1040, 4140 etc., and I can't follow along as well as
I would like. I have been searching the www for a table which might give
the name and properties (hopefully in lay language) but have not had
much luck. I did learn the the WTC might not have fallen down if it
wasn't supported by A36. Does anyone know where a novice in different
types of steel can get this basic information. Is there a rhyme or
reason for the numbers (the first is carbon %; second is chromium......)
Thanks.
Jon