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Composition and Strength
Composition and Strength
1 Typical functions of chemical elements in structural carbon steels
Elements Typical Strength Ductility Toughness Hardness Weldability Corrosion Remarks
content resistance
(%)
Aluminum (Al) 0 ~ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
0.015
Boron (B) 0 ~ 0.005 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Uses only in aluminum‐killed steels, and most
effective in low carbon steel.
Calcium (Ca) 0 ~ ‐ ‐ ‐ ▪ Minimizes re‐heat cracking
0.015 ▪ Prevents lamellar tearing in large
restrained welded structures
Carbon (C) 0.05 ~ ‐ Moderate tendency to segregate
0.25
Chromium (Cr) 0.10 ~ ‐ ‐ ‐
0.90
Copper (Cu) 0.20 ~ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
0.60
Manganese (Mn) 0.50 ~ ‐ ‐ Controls harmful effect of Sulfur
1.70
Molybdenum (Mo) < 0.30 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Increases the yield strength at elevated
temperatures, as well as the creep strength.
Columbium (Nb/Cb) < 0.05 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Columbium (Cb) referred to as niobium (Nb) in
Europe is one of the key elements in the
various HSLA grades.
Nitrogen (N) 0 ~ ‐ ‐
0.004
Nickel (Ni) 0.25 ~ ‐ ‐ ‐
1.50
Phosphorus (P) < 0.05 ‐
Sulphur (S) < 0.05 ‐ ‐
Silicon (Si) 0.10 ~ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Good deoxidizers of steel
0.40
Titanium (Ti) ‐ ‐ ‐ Increases creep and rupture strength
Vanadium (V) < 0.20 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
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