High-carbon steel is generally harder than iron. This is due to the higher carbon content in high-carbon steel, which increases its hardness and strength. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the carbon content in high-carbon steel can range from 0.60% to 1.0%, while pure iron typically contains less than 0.02% carbon. The increased carbon content in high-carbon steel leads to a harder material with improved wear resistance and tensile strength. For instance, the Rockwell hardness of high-carbon steel can range from 50 to 65 HRC, whereas pure iron typically has a hardness of around 20 to 30 HRC. This significant difference in hardness makes high-carbon steel more suitable for applications requiring durability and resistance to deformation.