MATE 1104

Role of Alloying Elements in Steel

Alloys

Most metals used for engineering purposes are not in their

is one of the very few examples of metals used in their purest form

To be obtain improved
we combine elements to form alloys.

An alloy is a substance having metallic properties, which is composed of 2 or more elements,

with at least one element being a metal.

- Alloying is the process of

o The base metal is considered to be the

o The added alloying element is considered the

Three things can occur when elements are added to base material:

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 This is a solution, in the solid state that consists of

 There are 2 types of solid solutions:

a) Substitutional Solid Solutions:

o The solute atoms occupy the lattice positions normally reserved for the
o Ex. Gold-silver alloys – both gold and silver have

o Ex. Copper-nickel alloys – called

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 o Substitutional solid solutions contain atoms that are strongly held in place- not
so free to move around

o The structure is normally stronger vs. each element on its own

o The atomic radius differences can have a strengthening effect
o How the lattice becomes distorted:

b) Interstitial Solid Solutions

 The new atoms (solute atoms) are located in the interstices or spaces between
the larger atoms in the matrix
 Generally the atomic diameter of the solute atoms are smaller atoms compared
to the solvent atoms
 Ex. Carbon forms an interstitial solid solution in iron – results in steel

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  How the lattice becomes distorted:

2. Elements can separate on solidification

o Some elements will separate on solidification into their own combination of solid
phase

3. Inter-metallic compounds can form

o Some elements will combine to form compounds such as carbides
o Ex. Iron carbide (Fe3C, cementite), WC – tungsten carbide, chromium carbide

Purpose of Alloying

 Improve mechanical properties at normal, higher and lower temperatures

 Improve toughness at any minimum hardness/ strength
 Increase corrosion resistance
 Increase wear resistance

If we add other alloying elements to get particular properties we get alloy steels. Alloy steels
are where the characteristic property is caused by an element other than carbon in the iron
Example – stainless steel: chrome gives good corrosion resistance

We can add alloying elements to steels to get properties we couldn’t get out of plain-C steels or
to improve upon the properties we already have.

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STEEL: An iron alloy containing small amounts of carbon (up to 2%; over 2% is a cast iron)
as well as some other elements (e.g. Si, Mn, S, P – left over from
steel production. Other elements can be added for various reasons such as Ni and Cr)

As we have been discussing, carbon is the most important single alloying element in steel. The
higher the carbon content, the more carbon that is available to be trapped and the mkre
distorted the structure will become, hence increasing the hardness

C and other alloying elements can affect the properties of steels.

Plain carbon steels contain:

 up to 2% carbon (most contain less)
 0.2-0.6% manganese
 0.02 – 0.15% silicon

The below two are by-products from steel making that are considered impurities
and can have detrimental effects on the microstructure of steel
 up to 0.05% sulphur
 up to 0.04% phosphorus

Carbon
 Most important single alloying element in steel.
 It is essential to the formation of cementite and other carbides within the
microstructure.
 Generally, as C goes up (to a certain point) strength goes up, ductility increases

We have said how carbon is the most important alloying element in steel but we do add other
elements to get different effects (alloy steels):

Manganese
 Normally present in all commercial steels.
 Important during manufacture as a de-oxidizer of the melt
 Also combines with sulfur to form MnS stringers that are less harmful vs
straight sulphur in the material

 Contributes to strength and hardness but to a lesser degree then carbon.

Silicon
 Principle de-oxidizer used in steel making.

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  Amount present depends on de-oxidation practice (ex. Fully killed)
 As well, silicon slightly increases the strength of ferrite without a
corresponding drop in ductility.

Chromium
 Generally added to increase resistance to corrosion and oxidation
 It will also improve high temperature strength (because Cr is a strong
carbide former)

 Stainless steels contain greater than 10.5% Cr as the main alloying element

Nickel
 Strengthens the ferrite
 It also changes cooling rate transformations so nickel steels are easier to heat
treat

Molybdenum
 Increases the hardenability of steel (depth to which a material hardens after
a heat treatment process)

Aluminum
 Sometimes used as a deoxidizer and to control grain size during steel
production

The next few are what we know as residual elements and are considered detrimental to steel:

o Phosphorous: Decreases ductility and toughness

o Sulfur: Does the same as phosphorus but also decreases weldability as

inclusions. However some grades of steel have sulphur added along with
manganese to form MnS stringers as this makes for increased machinability

o Oxygen: Significantly reduces toughness

o Hydrogen: embrittles steel it can also migrate through the lattice due to its
small atomic size)

There can also be other elements added for various reasons but these are the most important.

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