Today’s Steel Knowledge – Low Alloy Steel

Low alloy steel refers to a kind of steel whose total alloying elements are less than 5%. Since low alloy steel contains less alloy elements, its performance is relatively single compared to high alloy steel. However, low alloy steel is widely used in the field of machinery manufacturing.

Main features of low alloy steel

1. Good weldability: The content of alloy elements in low alloy steel is low, and its structure and properties are easy to control during welding.

2. High strength: Although the content of alloy elements in low alloy steel is low, it improves the strength of the steel through intergranular strengthening, solid solution strengthening, and grain refinement, giving it a higher strength level.

3. Excellent toughness: The low alloy element content in low alloy steel reduces the interaction between the grain boundaries of the steel, thereby greatly improving its toughness.

4. Excellent plasticity: Low alloy steel has high plasticity and is easy to deform. It is widely used in cold working and hot working processes.

5. Good heat resistance: Some low-alloy steels can still maintain good strength and plasticity in high-temperature environments, so they are widely used in high-temperature equipment and environments.

Classification of low alloy steel

1. According to the processing method, it is divided into hot-rolled materials, cold-rolled materials, drawn materials, cold-formed and hot-formed profiles;

2. Divided into plates, strips, profiles, bars, pipes, etc. according to types;

Application areas

Low alloy steel is widely used in machinery manufacturing, such as engineering machinery, automobiles, railways, shipbuilding and aviation industries. In addition, low alloy steel is also widely used in construction, energy, chemical industry, metallurgy and other fields.

Editor: Lucas

Mail: lucas@yangtzesteel.com