alloyteräksistä

Alloy steel, or legerat steel in Swedish, is a type of steel that has been combined with one or more alloying elements to improve its properties. These elements are added in varying amounts to achieve specific characteristics such as increased hardness, strength, toughness, corrosion resistance, or wear resistance. Common alloying elements include chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten, and manganese.

The addition of these elements alters the microstructure of the steel, leading to enhanced performance compared to plain carbon steel. For instance, chromium is often added to increase hardness and corrosion resistance, forming stainless steel when present in sufficient quantities. Nickel enhances toughness and strength, particularly at low temperatures. Molybdenum improves hardenability and creep resistance at high temperatures. Vanadium and tungsten contribute to wear resistance and hardness.

Alloy steels find widespread use in various industries due to their versatile properties. They are crucial in manufacturing automotive components like engine parts and gears, aerospace applications requiring high strength-to-weight ratios, construction for structural elements and tools, and in the production of cutting tools and machinery parts where durability and resistance to wear are paramount. The specific composition of an alloy steel is carefully chosen based on the intended application and the desired performance characteristics.