Effects of Alloying Elements on Steel

Influence exerted through

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.
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 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.

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