HIGH STRENGTH LOW ALLOY (HSLA)

STEEL
Steel alloy
alloys.

that provides many benefits over regular steel

Stronger and tougher than ordinary plain carbon steel.

Designed to handle higher stresses and very often at low
temperatures.
HSLA contains small amount of carbon ( approx. 0.15 %
Carbon) 1.65 % manganese, low phosphorous , sulfur etc.
Contains Cu, Ni, niobium, nitrogen chromium, silicon,
vanadium etc.
Referred as microalloyed
Added elements are intended to alter the microstructures
usually ferrite pearlite.
Eliminate toughness reducing effect. Pearlitic volume fraction.
Yielding may be increased by 50 %

HSLA steel
HSLA more resistant to rust and most carbon steel due to less
pearlite and cementite.
Density of HSLA aprox. 7800 kg/m3
HSLA do have limited ductility compared to mild steel.
Highly formable
Weldable

 HSLA steel cars, trucks and bridges

Less steel therefore lighter
Cars fuel economy stronger less damage to road
surface.
Bridges centre span can be longer and need few
supporting beams.
HSLA steel TV masts
Thinner section and more stable for less resistance to
the wind.

Distribution of Alloying Elements

Distribution depends upon compound and carbide forming tendency of
each element.

The durability of HSLA steels

More durable and longer life span.
Street lighting, oil storage tank , Earth moving equipment
Bridges, sea structures.
Building reinforcement (cement /steel/ steel/steel)

Microstructure of HSLA

Strength is increased by
Increasing the amount of pearlite
Increasing the fineness of grain structure
Increasing the amount of hard precipitate