EFFECT OF ALLOYING ELEMENTS ON THE PROPERTIES OF STEEL

Corrosion Resistance
High temp. stability

Carbide formation
Reduction in Area

Wear resistance

Machinability
Impact value

Cooling rate

Forgability
Elongation

Nitrability
Elasticity
Hardness

Strength

Scaling
Silicon   YP
             ––
Manganese in pearlitic steel                ––
Manganese in austenitic steel      –– –– ––  –– ––    –– ––
Chromium             ––   
Ni in perlitic steel       ––   ––     –– ––
Ni in austenitic steel       ––   –– ––    –– 
Aluminium –– –– –– ––   –– –– –– –– ––  ––   ––
Tungsten       ––         ––
Vanadium             ––   
Cobalt       ––   ––     –– ––
Molybdenum       ––         ––
Copper       ––  –– –– ––    –– 
Sulphur –– –– ––    –– –– –– –– ––   –– –– 
Phosphorous       –– –– –– –– ––   –– –– ––

 = increase  = decrease  = constant –– = not characteristic or unknown

several arrows = more intensive effect

EFFECT OF ALLOYING ELEMENTS ON THE STRUCTURE OF CAST IRON

Element % used Effect on chill Effects on structure Comments
Al upto 2.0 reduces. 1.0% is approximately equivalent to 0.5% Stabilises ferrite. Increases and Generally used in small percentages
Silicon coarsens graphite. Decreases hardness. as a deoxidant and scavenger only.
Cr 0.15 to 1.0 Increases. 1.0% approximately neutralises the Stabilises cementite. Reduces and Used for harness, chilling power and
graphitising effect of 1.0% Silicon refines the graphite. Increases wear resistance.
hardness.
Cu 0.5 to 2.0 Decreases. 1.0% is approximately equivalent to 0.35% Tends to increase refined graphite. Toughens the matrix and increases
Silicon. Assists in control of chill depth. the fluidity.
Mn 0.3 to 1.25 By first combining with Sulphur it tends to reduce the Stabilises austenite. refines graphite Also acts as a deoxidiser. Gives
chill. In excess of this amount it increases the chill. and pearlite. grain refinement, density and
1.0% of Manganese neutralises about 0.25% Silicon. increased fluidity.
Mo 0.3 to 1.0 Increases. 1.0% is as effective as about 0.33% Refines graphite and pearlite. Used only in combination with
Chromium and neutralises the effect of 0.35% Silicon. Nickel, Copper and Chromium in
the production of high strength
irons.
Ni 0.1 to 3.0 Decreases. 1.0% is about equal to 0.33% Silicon and Stabilises austenite. Refines graphite Improves the density and toughness.
offsets the chilling effect of about 0.33% Chromium. and pearlite. Evens out the hardness between
light and heavy sections.
Si 0.5 to 3.50 Reduces. Stabilises ferrite. Increases quantity Softens, weakens and imparts an
and coarseness of graphite. open grained structure.
W 0.05 to 0.1 Decreases powerfully. Increases but refines graphite. Used chiefly as a deoxidiser and
degasses. Imparts fluidity.
Va 0.15 to Increases strongly. 1.0% Vanadium offsets the chill Stabilises cementite and improves the Increases hardness and resistance to
0.50 reducing influence of about 1.75% Silicon. structure of chill. wear adn heat.
Zr 0.10 to Mildly reduces Assists formation of graphite Reduces hardness. Deoxidises and
0.30 improves the fluidity and density.