ALLOY STEEL
The term 'Alloy steel' is a standard term referring to steels with other alloying elements added deliberately in addition to the carbon.
Alloy steel is that which is alloyed with impurities of 1-50% by weight of iron. These impurities improves mechanical properties of steel.
Alloyant = A material added to metal (possibly itself a metal) to alter it's properties..
Common alloyants are Mn, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Si, B. From which Mn is the most common one.
Less common alloyants are Al, Co, Cu, Ce, Ni, Ti, W, Sn, Zn, Pb, Zr.
Alloy steel is better in following properties over Carbon steel.
And to achieve some of these properties the metal needs to be heat treated.
- Strength
- Hardness
- Toughness
- Wear resistance
- Hardenability
- Hot hardness
Hardenability = Ability of any material to be hardened by thermal treatment.
Hot hardness = Hardness of any material at high temperatures.
Alloy steels are sub-divided into three groups on basis of total alloying elements present in steel.
Hot hardness = Hardness of any material at high temperatures.
Alloy steels are sub-divided into three groups on basis of total alloying elements present in steel.
Though there is not a definite division line between them.
| Name | % Content | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Alloy Steel | Upto 5% total alloying |
| 2 | Medium alloy steels | 5 - 10 % total alloying |
| 3 | High alloy steels | Above 10% total alloying |