Effect of alloying elements on steel properties

Dr. Dmitri Kopeliovich

Alloying is changing chemical composition of steel by adding elements with purpose to improve its
properties as compared to the plane carbon steel.
 The properties, which may be improved
 Characteristics of alloying elements
The properties, which may be improved
 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
A3 temperature.
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) form 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.
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Characteristics of alloying elements
Manganese (Mn) – improves hardenability, ductility and wear resistance. Mn eliminates formation of
harmful iron sulfides, increasing strength at high temperatures.
Nickel (Ni) – increases strength, impact strength and toughness, impart corrosion resistance in
combination with other elements.
Chromium (Cr) – improves hardenability, strength and wear resistance, sharply increases corrosion
resistance at high concentrations (> 12%).
Tungsten (W) – increases hardness particularly at elevated temperatures due to stable carbides,
refines grain size.
Vanadium (V) – increases strength, hardness, creep resistance and impact resistance due to
formation of hard vanadium carbides, limits grain size.
Molybdenum (Mo) – increases hardenability and strength particularly at high temperatures and
under dynamic conditions.
Silicon (Si) – improves strength, elasticity, acid resistance and promotes large grain sizes, which
cause increasing magnetic permeability.
Titanium (Ti) – improves strength and corrosion resistance, limits austenite grain size.
Cobalt (Co) – improves strength at high temperatures and magnetic permeability.
Zirconium (Zr) – increases strength and limits grain sizes.
Boron (B) – highly effective hardenability agent, improves deformability and machinability.
Copper (Cu) – improves corrosion resistance.
Aluminum (Al) – deoxidizer, limits austenite grains growth.