Element Solid solubility Influence upon Influence carbide. & austenite Carbide- Action Principal function of the element. In In upon ferrite Symbol (hardenenability) forming during gamma Fe alpha Fe tendency temperature Aluminum(Al) 1.1% 36%± Hardens If dissolved in Graphitizes — a. Used as deoxidizer. (increase by considerably by solid austenite increases b. Restricts grain growth. carbon) solution hardenability mildly c. Alloying element in nitriding steels. Chromium(Cr) 12.8% (in Unlimited Hardens slightly; Increases Greater than Mildly resists a. Increases corrosion and oxidation resistance. 0.5%C steels increased hardenability Mn less than softening b. Increases hardenabability. 20%) corrosion resistance moderately, similar W c. Increases strength at high temperature. to manganese d. With high C resists wear and abrasion. Cobalt(Co) Unlimited 75% Hardens Decreases Similar to Fe Sustains a. Contributes to red hardness by hardening considerably by solid hardenability as hardness by ferrite. solution dissolved solid b. Alloying element is certain high-speed steels. solutions Manganese Unlimited 3% Hardens, ductility Similar to Ni Greater than Fe, Very little a. Counteracts effect of brittleness from (Mn) somewhat reduced less than Cr in usual sulphur. percentage b. Increases hardenability inexpensively. c. High Mn. high C produces steels resistant to wear and abrasion. Molybdenum 3% (with 37.5% (less Age-hardening Increases Strong, greater Opposes a. Raises grain coarsening temperature of (Mo) 0.5% C steels with system in high hardenability than Cr softening by austenite. 8%) lowered Mo-Fe alloys. strongly secondary b. Increases depth of hardening. temp) hardening c. Raises hot and creep strength promotes red hardness. d. Enhances corrosion resistance in stainless steels. e. Forms abrasion resistant particles. Nickel (N) Unlimited 10% Strengthens and Increases Graphitizes less Very little in a. Strengthens unquenched or annealed steels. independent toughens by solid hardenability than Fe small b. Toughens pearlitic-ferritic steels (especially of C content solution slightly, austenite percentages low temperatures). retention with higher c. Renders high Cr/Fe alloys austenitic. carbon Phosphorous 0.5% 2.8% Hardens strongly by Increases Nil — a. Strengthens low C steels. (P) independent solid solution. hardenability similar b. Increases resistance to atmospheric corrosion. of C content Lowers ductility to Mn c. Improves machinability in free cutting steel inducing Brittleness. Silicon (Si) Approx. 2% 18.5% Hardens with loss in Increases Negative Sustains a. Used as deoxidizer. (with 0.35% (carbon has ductility. hardenability more graphitizes hardness by b. Alloy for electrical and magnetic sheet C approx 9%) little effect) than Ni solid solution metals. c. Improves oxidation resistance. d. Strengthens low alloy steels. Page 1 of 2 Effects of Alloying Elements on Steel
Influence exerted through
Element Solid solubility Influence upon Influence carbide. & austenite Principal function of the element. upon ferrite Carbide- Action Symbol In In (hardenenability). forming during gamma Fe alpha Fe tendency temperature Titanium (Ti) 0.75% (with Approx. 0.6% Gives age-hardening Probably increases Greatest known Some a Fixes carbon in inert particles. 0.2% C steels (less with in high Fe-Ti alloy. hardenability very (2% Ti renders, secondary b Reduces martensitic hardness and ardenability approx 1%) lowered strongly dissolved; 0.5% C steel hardening in medium Cr steels. temperatures) its carbide effects unhardenable) c. Prevents formation of austenite in high Cr reduce hardenability steels. d. Prevents localized depletion of Cr in stainless steels during long heating periods. Tungsten (W) 6% (with 33% (less Age-hardening Increases Strong Opposes a. Forms hard, abrasion resistant particles in 0.25% C with lowered system in W-Fe hardenability softening by tool steels, high-speed steels. 11%) temperature) alloys. strongly in small secondary b. Promotes red hardness and hot strength quantities hardening Vanadium (V) Approx. 1% Unlimited Hardens moderately Increases Very strong Maximum for a. Promotes fine grain-elevates coarsening (with 0.2% C in solid solutions. hardenability very secondary temperature of austenite. steels 4%) strongly as dissolved hardening b. Increases hardenability when dissolved. c. Resists tempering and causes marked secondary hardening.
Engineering Equipment for Foundries: Proceedings of the Seminar on Engineering Equipment for Foundries and Advanced Methods of Producing Such Equipment, Organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe