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Alloying is changing chemical composition of steel by adding elements with purpose to improve its properties as compared to the plane carbon steel.
Stabilizing austenite increasing the temperature range, in which austenite exists. The elements, having the same crystal structure as that of austenite (cubic face centered FCC), raise the A4 point (the temperature of formation of austenite from liquid phase) and decrease the A3temperature. These elements are nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu). Examples of austenitic steels: austenitic stainless steels, Hadfield steel (1%C, 13%Mn, 1.2%Cr).
Stabilizing ferrite decreasing the temperature range, in which austenite exists. The elements, having the same crystal structure as that of ferrite (cubic body centered BCC), lower the A4 point and increase the A3 temperature. These elements lower the solubility of carbon in austenite, causing increase of amount of carbides in the steel. The following elements have ferrite stabilizing effect: chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), Molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), aluminum (Al) and silicon (Si). Examples of ferritic steels: transformer sheets steel (3%Si), F-Cr alloys.
Carbide forming elements forming hard carbides in steels. The elements like chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), titanium (Ti), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), zirconium (Zr) corm hard (often complex) carbides, increasing steel hardness and strength. Examples of steels containing relatively high concentration of carbides: hot work tool steels, high speed steels. Carbide forming elements also form nitrides reacting with Nitrogen in steels.
Graphitizing decreasing stability of carbides, promoting their breaking and formation of free Graphite. The following elements have graphitizing effect: silicon (Si), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), aluminum (Al). Decrease of the eutectoid concentration. The following elements lower eutectoid concentration of carbon: titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), silicon (Si), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni). Increase of corrosion resistance. Aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), and chromium (Cr) form thin an strong oxide film on the steel surface, protecting it from chemical attacks.