EFFECTS OF ALLOYING ELEMENTS ON STEEL PROPERTIES

PRIMARY ALLOYING ELEMENTS:

In the production of Carbon Steels, elements that are added to refine molten steel in the
ladle (or other refining vessel) in order to achieve desired metallurgical properties.
THE PRIMARY ALLOYING ELEMENTS ARE:
C, Mn and Si.
SECONDARY ALLOYING ELEMENTS:
Added to refine molten steel in the ladle ( or other refining vessel ) along with Primary
Alloying Elements to enhance properties & performance.
SECONDARY ALLOYING ELEMENTS INCLUDE:
Cu, Ni, Cr, Mo, Al, V, Nb, B, Co, and W
RESIDUAL ELEMENTS:
A Residual Element is one that reports to the molten bath, and for which no minimum
content is specified for the grade to be produced.
A maximum content may or may not be required by the grade/ specification. Whether
covered by grade /specifications or not, residuals may affect steel properties and
performance for better or worse.
In Carbon Steel making, the term "Residual Elements" usually refers to Cu, Ni, Cr, and
Mo ( and may include Co and W, if certain highly alloyed specialty steels are included
in a furnace charge )
TRAMP ELEMENTS:
There is no universally accepted distinction between "Residual Elements" vs. "Tramp
Elements". The two phrases are frequently used interchangeably.
Tramp Elements will be applied to certain elements that serve no useful purpose in the
furnace charge. Tramp Elements may report to the molten bath, and / or to the slag,
and / or to the furnace atmosphere.
Tramp Elements that report to the bath, if present in sufficient amounts, almost always
have adverse effects on steel properties, ease and cost of steel production, and / or have
undesirable environmental characteristics.
The "Tramp Elements" are principally: S, P, Pb, Sn, Sb, Zn, Cd, and Hg.

Steel making raw materials, including items of Ferrous Scrap, may contribute "Residual
Elements and Tramp Elements to a furnace charge in two ways:
RESIDUAL & TRAMP ELEMENTS ENDOGENOUSLY:
Already present as alloy constituents in scrapped steel items ( or other steel-making raw
materials) -their presences were intentional or unintentional. Such elements or the
substances that contain them are almost never removable from the raw material by
mechanical means.
Present as items or substances, or contained in items or substances, that coat, or are
attached to, or otherwise accompany materials that are placed in a furnace charge.
Usually removable from the raw material by mechanical means( but not necessarily
economically ).
The control of Residual Element content in commercial scrap is essential to high quality
steel making in an electric furnace. This claim is based upon metallurgical considerations
that originate either from difficulties experienced in fabrication, both by steel makers and
their customers, or the negative effect of high residuals on properties or performance of
finished products.
ALLOYING
Primary Alloying Elements- C(Carbon) The principal element responsible for hardness
in steel, due to formation of Fe3C upon cooling through the Transformation
Temperature, when Gamma Iron (Austenite) decomposes into Alpha Iron (Ferrite) +
Fe3C (Iron Carbide).
EFFECT OF CARBON
Increases Hardness, tensile strength in steels.
.Ductility generally decreases as C increases, but in most cases this effect can be offset
with proper heat treatment.
.Affects melting point
Weldability decreases as C increases. Excess oxygen usage may be required to remove
excess C ( takes furnace time ). When C added to an oxidizing slag, causes slag to
foam, like froth on beer. The insulating effect of a "foamy slag" reduces heat loss in the
furnace, prolongs electrode life, and reduces refractory wear.
Certain applications specify a required Carbon Equivalent content in order to achieve
desired properties. Example of a Carbon Equivalent calculation
Carbon Equivalent = % C + 0.25 * % Mn+ % V + % Nb

Mn( MANGANESE )
The formation in steel microstructures of Carbide compounds, especially Iron Carbide
( Fe3C ), is a key to steels superior metallurgical performance. Mn acts as a Carbide
Stabilizer. Steels with Mn contents as low as 0.3%may insure that Fe3C won't degrade
to Fe + Graphite under many heat treat conditions; as little as 0.3% Mn will offset the
tendency of Si to promote graphitization, even when Si contents are as high as 2 %.
SULPHUR
When S is present in steel, Mn may help prevent Hot Shortness( tearing during hot
rolling or forging). In the absence of Mn, S may combine with Fe to form FeS, which
appears in the steel microstructure as low melting point, brittle inclusions that weaken
the steel. When Mn is present in steels that contain S, MnS is formed instead FeS.
EFFECT OF SULPHUR
MnS appears in solidified steels as randomly distributed globules which are soft enough
to deform during hot working, and may form elongated stringers which are frequently not
harmful. If the Mn:S ratio is greater than 8:1, hot shortness due to FeS formation will
generally not occur.
EFFECT OF Mn
In addition, Mn may be used to improve hardenablilty ("through hardening"), toughness
& tensile strength, but may decrease ductility & weldability.
Si( SILICON )
During the O2 Blow phase of steel melting production, Si is readily burned to form
Si02. The oxidation of Si is exothermic, and while the burning of Si represents a yield
loss, there may benefit in that the heat produced may help "melt in" faster.
SiO2 promotes fast slag formation by lowering melting point of CaO ( Lime ). However,
an appropriate ratio of CaO to SiO2 (about 2.5 to 1 ) must be maintained in order to
assure that the refining capability of the slag( to remove S and P from molten steel bath)
is not compromised, and to not shorten furnace refractory life.
Si is an important, but not exceptionally strong deoxidizer. After the refining step in the
furnace is complete, but before continuous casting may begin, excess O2 must be
removed, which is accomplished by adding deoxidizers to the molten steel.
Elements used for deoxidation purposes include primarily Si and Al, but may also include
Ca and Ti. Si is the primary deoxidizer used in the production of continuously cast billets
for bar and structural applications. Si is not a grain refiner.

Si can improve steel tensile strength, but may adversely affect machinability ( due to
formation of silicate inclusions ). Si is the principal alloying element in lectrical steels
used in transformers, and electric motor laminations, generators & relays ( Si increases
permeability, raises electrical resistivity and reduces hysteresis loss ).
Si promotes graphitization, i.e., decomposition of Iron Carbide ( Fe3C ) into metallic Fe
and graphite.
SECONDARY ALLOYING ELEMENTS
Cu( COPPER )
Cu is completely soluble in molten steel, and won't form oxides, carbides or sulfides in
steel. Thus the Cu content of molten steel can only be lowered economically by dilution.
Can cause hot hortness(tearing during hot working, including forging, at seemingly low
concentrations, i.e. over 0.2 % Cu ). Even if hot shortness does not occur, Cu can result
in poor surface quality.
The risk of hot shortness increases with increasing Sn and / or C contents, hot work
furnace preheat time and
temperature, and when the heating is done in an oxidizing
atmosphere. The tendency to cause hot shortness may be somewhat offset by Ni.
When present in solid solution, Cu "stiffens" Ferrite and decreases ductility. Can be used
to increases atmospheric corrosion resistance.
Can inhibit acid solution pickling by increasing scale adhesion.
Ni( NICKEL )
Improves hardenability. When present in solid solution, Ni "stiffens" Ferrite and
decreases ductility. Reduces distortion in heat treating. Permits use of milder quenching
media. Permits ability to achieve strength & toughness levels at lower carbon contents.
Improves weldability, plasticity & fatique properties Improves toughness, especially at
low temperatures. Improves ability to case harden. Improves corrosion resistance.
Like Cu, Ni cannot be removed from molten steel. Ni content can only be lowered by
dilution. Ni is an Austenite stabilizer in Stainless Steels.
Cr( CHROMIUM )
-A strong carbide former.
-improves wear resistance.
-increase resistance to softening during tempering.
.When present in solid solution, Cr "stiffens" Ferrite and decreases ductility.
-Improves hardenability depth.

- Promotes the response of steel to carburzing heat treatment. In combination with even
very low P, Sn, As or Sb contents,
Chromium and Ni-Cr alloy steels are particularly susceptible to "temper embrittlement"
(loss of ductility when tempering or slow cooling in the range 375 -600C). When Cr >
4%, corrosion resistance greatly improves ( Responsible for corrosion resistance in
Stainless Steels ). Not readily oxidized from bath; requires high temperatures, increased
heat time and slag volume.
Mo(MOLYBDENUM)
A strong Carbide former. Mo has a high effect on hardenability. When present in solid
solution, Mo "stiffens" Ferrite and decreases ductility. Improves control of heat treatment
by inhibiting formation of certain microstructures e.g., Pearlite).
Can improves high temperature corrosion resistance.
Can improve toughness & fatique properties.
Not readily oxidizable
( removable ) from liquid steel.
Can inhibit acid solution
pickling.
Expensive.
V(VANADIUM)
An effective grain refiner
( i.e., restricts Austenitic
grain growth ).
Strong carbide and nitride
former( improves abrasion
resistance).
Improves yield strength,
toughness and hot hardness.
Strongly increases resistance
to softening during tempering.
Ties up Nitrogen to inhibit
strain ageing.
Expensive.

Nb(NIOBIUM)
. Also called Columbium
An effective grain refiner
(i.e., restricts Austenitic
grain growth)
. Strong carbide former.
Improves yield strength, tensile strength and hot hardness.
Strongly increases resistance to softening during tempering.
Ties up Nitrogen to inhibit strain ageing.
.Expensive.
Al(ALUMINUM)
A powerful deoxidizer and nitride former. In small amounts, serves as a powerful,
inexpensive grain refiner (i.e., restricts Austenitic grain growth).
Can improve toughness, especially at low temperatures.
Added to Nitriding steels to promote high surface hardness & wear resistance.
Difficult to use in continuous billet casting (due to precipitation of Al2O3 particles that
can clog tundish nozzles).
B(Boron)
Strongly increases hardenability, by
suppressing Ferrite precipitation during
transformation from Austenite during
heat treatment.
Effective in very small amounts (less
than 0.003% B).
Highly reactive with Oxygen and
Nitrogen; difficult to use in EAF / CC
practice vs. BOF billet steel production
due to generally higher Oxygen and
Nitrogen levels in EAF liquid steels.

Co(Cobalt)

Like Cu, a Ferrite "stiffener" (by means of

solid solution strengthening), an effect that
persists at high tempertures (i.e.,
increases hot hardness).
Like Ni, cannot remove Co from molten steel.
Can find radioactive Co isotopes in certain
scrap.
If Radioactive Co Melted Into Bath, Steel maker
has BIG PROBLEMS.
Very Expensive
W(TUNGSTEN)
Forms extremely hard, stable carbides. Used almost exclusively in High Speed and
other tool steels (requiring wear resistance and high hot hardness). Very Expensive.
Used in the manufacture of High Speed Tool Steel, but otherwise almost never used
due to extremely high cost.

M.PRABHU
QUALITYCONTROL
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