Types of alloy steel

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Types of alloy steel

In this article, we will discuss the different types of alloy steel, including low alloy steel, high alloy steel, and other types of alloy steel.

Alloy steel is a type of steel that is made by combining iron with one or more other elements, such as carbon, Nickel, Chromium, etc., to produce a material with improved properties compared to pure iron.

Depending on the amount and type of alloying elements, alloy steel can be classified into several categories.

Types of alloy steel

Effects of alloying element in steel

  1. Carbon – increases strength and hardness
  2. Manganese – Improves strength, toughness, and hardenability
  3. Chromium – Improves hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance
  4. Nickel – Improves toughness, strength, and corrosion resistance
  5. Molybdenum – Improves strength and hardenability
  6. Tungsten – Improves wear resistance, heat resistance, and hardness
  7. Vanadium – Improves strength and hardenability
  8. Silicon – Improves strength and hardenability
  9. Boron – Improves hardenability
  10. Aluminum – Improves strength and corrosion resistance

Check out this article for in-depth information of “Effects of alloying element in steel.”

Low Alloy Steel

Low alloy steel is a type of alloy steel that contains small amounts of alloying elements, usually no more than 5%.

These elements are added to improve the mechanical properties of the steel, such as its strength, toughness, and hardenability.

Low alloy steels are often used in construction, mining, and agricultural equipment, as well as in pipelines, boilers, and pressure vessels.

Examples of low alloy steels include AISI 4130, AISI 4140, and AISI 4340.

High Alloy Steel

High alloy steel, on the other hand, is a type of alloy steel that contains a higher amount of alloying elements, typically greater than 5%.

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These alloying elements can include chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and others.

High alloy steels are used in applications that require high strength and resistance to corrosion, such as aerospace and defense components, chemical processing equipment, and medical implants.

Examples of high alloy steels include stainless steel, tool steel, and maraging steel.

Other Types of Alloy Steel

In addition to low and high alloy steel, there are several other types of alloy steel that are used for specific applications. These include:

Nickel Steel

Nickel steel is a type of alloy steel that contains a high percentage of nickel. It is known for its high strength and toughness, making it suitable for use in aerospace and defense applications.

some common examples of nickel steel grades and their specifications:

  1. INCONEL 600 (UNS N06600) – a nickel-chromium alloy with good resistance to corrosion and high-temperature oxidation.

Specifications: ASTM B166, AMS 5540.

  1. INCONEL 625 (UNS N06625) – a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy with high strength and excellent resistance to corrosion and high-temperature oxidation.

Specifications: ASTM B443, AMS 5599, ASME SB-443.

  1. MONEL 400 (UNS N04400) – a nickel-copper alloy with excellent corrosion resistance in a variety of media, including seawater, hydrofluoric acid, and sulfuric acid.

Specifications: ASTM B164, AMS 4675, ASME SB-164.

  1. INCOLOY 800 (UNS N08800) – a nickel-chromium alloy with good resistance to high-temperature oxidation and carburization.

Specifications: ASTM B408, AMS 5766, ASME SB-408.

  1. HASTALLOY C-276 (UNS N10276) – a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy with excellent corrosion resistance in aggressive environments, including those containing chlorine and molybdenum.

Specifications: ASTM B575, AMS 5513, ASME SB-575.

Manganese Steel

Manganese steel is a type of alloy steel that contains a high percentage of manganese. It is known for its exceptional wear resistance and is often used in construction and mining equipment.

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some common examples of manganese steel grades and their specifications:

  1. AUSTENITIC HADFIELD STEEL (UNS K700) – a high-manganese steel with excellent impact and wear resistance.

Specifications: ASTM A128, DIN W1.3401, JIS SCMnH11

  1. MARTENSITIC HADFIELD STEEL (UNS K100) – a high-manganese steel with high hardness and excellent wear resistance.

Specifications: ASTM A128, DIN W1.3401, JIS SCMnH11

  1. 11-14% MANGANESE STEEL (UNS S11700) – a high-manganese steel with improved work-hardening properties.

Specifications: ASTM A128, DIN W1.3401, JIS SCMnH11

  1. HADFIELD GRADE 500 (UNS S55500) – a high-manganese steel with excellent wear and abrasion resistance.

Specifications: ASTM A128, DIN W1.3401, JIS SCMnH11

  1. HADFIELD GRADE 400 (UNS S54000) – a high-manganese steel with improved toughness and ductility.

Specifications: ASTM A128, DIN W1.3401, JIS SCMnH11

Chromium-Molybdenum Steel

Chromium-molybdenum steel is a type of alloy steel that contains a high percentage of chromium and molybdenum.

It is known for its high toughness and strength, and is often used in the manufacture of high-pressure pipelines and boilers.

Examples of Chromium-Molybdenum (Cr-Mo) steels are P11, P22, P5, P9 and P91 steel.

Tungsten Steel

Tungsten steel is a type of alloy steel that contains a high percentage of tungsten. It is known for its high hardness and is often used in cutting tools and die-casting applications.

Tungsten steel, also known as tool steel or high-speed steel, is a type of alloy steel that contains a high percentage of tungsten.

The high tungsten content provides excellent wear resistance, heat resistance, and hardness, making tungsten steel ideal for use in cutting and shaping tools, as well as in high-temperature applications.

Some common grades of tungsten steel include:

  1. Tungsten Steel M2 (UNS T11302) – a high-speed steel that provides excellent toughness and wear resistance.
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Specifications: ASTM A600, SAE J437

  1. Tungsten Steel D2 (UNS T30402) – a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel that provides excellent wear resistance.

Specifications: ASTM A681, SAE J437

  1. Tungsten Steel T1 (UNS T12001) – a high-speed steel that provides excellent wear resistance and toughness.

Specifications: ASTM A600, SAE J437

  1. Tungsten Steel S7 (UNS T41907) – a shock-resistant tool steel that provides good toughness and wear resistance.

Specifications: ASTM A681, SAE J437

FAQS

What is alloy steel?

Alloy steel is a type of steel that is made by adding other elements, such as chromium, nickel, manganese, or molybdenum, to improve its properties, such as strength, toughness, or corrosion resistance.

What are the benefits of using alloy steel?

The benefits of using alloy steel include increased strength and toughness, improved wear resistance, enhanced corrosion resistance, improved hardness, and better heat resistance.

What are the different types of alloy steel?

There are many different types of alloy steel, including low-alloy steel, high-alloy steel, nickel steel, manganese steel, chromium-molybdenum steel, tungsten steel, and more.

What is the difference between low-alloy steel and high-alloy steel?

Low-alloy steel contains a relatively small amount of alloying elements, while high-alloy steel contains a much higher percentage of alloying elements.
Low-alloy steel is less expensive and easier to work with than high-alloy steel, but it also has lower performance characteristics.

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