Alloy steels

Key Characteristics of Alloy steel

• Enhanced Strength: Alloying elements like chromium and molybdenum increase the tensile strength of steel, making it suitable for high-stress applications.
• Improved Hardness: Elements such as carbon and vanadium enhance the hardness of steel, allowing it to resist deformation and wear.
• Increased Toughness: Nickel and manganese improve the toughness of steel, enabling it to absorb energy and withstand impacts without breaking.
• Corrosion Resistance: Chromium and silicon enhance the steel's resistance to rust and corrosion, extending its lifespan in harsh environments.
• Heat Resistance: Elements like molybdenum and tungsten improve the steel's ability to retain strength and stability at high temperatures.

What are the Four Types of Alloy Steel?

Alloy steel is categorised into various types based on the composition and properties imparted by the alloying elements. The four main types are:

Low-Alloy Steel: Contains a small percentage of alloying elements (usually less than 5% by weight). These steels are known for a good balance of strength, toughness, and cost-effectiveness. Common applications include structural components and machinery parts.

High-Alloy Steel: Contains a higher percentage of alloying elements (more than 12% by weight). These steels offer superior properties like enhanced strength, hardness, and resistance to wear and corrosion. Stainless steel, which contains a significant amount of chromium, is a well-known example.

Micro-Alloyed Steel: Includes very small amounts of alloying elements (typically less than 0.1% by weight) to improve strength and toughness without significantly increasing cost. These steels are often used in the automotive industry and for structural applications.

Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS): Developed to provide high strength and good formability, making them ideal for automotive safety components. AHSS includes dual-phase steels, transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels, and others designed for high performance.

What are the Five Alloys Used in Steel?

Steel is often enhanced by incorporating various alloying elements. The five most commonly used alloys in steel are:

• Chromium (Cr): Improves hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Essential in stainless steel production.
• Nickel (Ni): Enhances toughness, impact resistance, and corrosion resistance. Widely used in austenitic stainless steels.
• Manganese (Mn): Increases hardness, tensile strength, and toughness. Commonly used in structural steels and wear-resistant steels.
• Molybdenum (Mo): Boosts strength, hardness, and resistance to high temperatures and corrosion. Found in high-strength and tool steels.
• Vanadium (V): Adds strength, toughness, and wear resistance. Often used in high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels and tool steels.

What is the Most Popular Steel Alloy?

Stainless Steel is arguably the most popular steel alloy due to its versatility and widespread use. It contains at least 10.5% chromium, which gives it excellent corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is used in a wide range of applications, including kitchen utensils, medical instruments, construction materials, and automotive parts. Its popularity stems from its durability, aesthetic appeal, and low maintenance requirements.

What are Alloy Steel Grades?

Alloy steel grades refer to the classification of alloy steels based on their composition and mechanical properties. These grades help in identifying the specific type of steel alloy suitable for different applications. Some common alloy steel grades include:

• 300M is a vacuum-melted steel with outstanding strength. A through-hardening alloy combining toughness, fatigue strength and good ductility.
• 4130: Known for its good strength, toughness, and weldability. Commonly used in aerospace and automotive applications.
• 4140: Offers high strength and good machinability. Used in the manufacturing of gears, shafts, and other high-stress components.
• 4340: High strength and toughness, with good fatigue resistance. Utilized in heavy-duty applications like crankshafts and aircraft landing gear.
• 6150: Contains chromium and vanadium, offering excellent toughness and wear resistance. Used in springs and high-strength components.
• 8620: Known for its hardening ability and toughness. Often used in carburized parts such as gears and crankshafts.

These grades provide a framework for selecting the appropriate alloy steel based on the specific requirements of an application, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

Applications of Steel Alloy Metals

The versatility and enhanced properties of steel alloy metals versatility make them indispensable in various industries. By incorporating specific alloying elements, alloy steel can be tailored to meet the unique demands of different applications, ensuring superior performance and durability. 

• Aerospace: Used in aircraft and spacecraft components where high strength and low weight are critical.
• Automotive: Applied in engine parts, chassis, and structural components for improved performance and durability.
• Construction: Utilised in building infrastructure, bridges, and high-rise buildings for their strength and longevity.
• Energy and Power Generation: Essential in turbines, boilers, and nuclear reactors for their heat and corrosion resistance.
• Oil and Gas: Used in pipelines, drilling equipment, and offshore platforms to withstand corrosive environments.
• Chemical Processing: Employed in reactors, heat exchangers, and storage tanks due to their chemical resistance.

Whether for structural components, high-performance machinery, or corrosion-resistant tools, alloy steel plays a crucial role in modern engineering and manufacturing.

NeoNickel: Leading Alloy Steel Suppliers Across Europe

NeoNickel is a trusted supplier of alloy steels to businesses throughout Europe, with offices and manufacturing facilities in key cities from Milton Keynes to Milan. Our diverse and highly qualified team ensures exceptional customer service and support for all clients.

We hold quality approvals from renowned industry leaders such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, and Safran, and our facilities consistently pass rigorous quality and compliance checks.

Our Steel Alloys

300M/S155: This low alloy steel, enriched with chromium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and silicon, is known for its high strength and excellent fatigue resistance. It is commonly used in manufacturing gears and shafts for aerospace and automotive applications.

4340: Also a low alloy steel, 4340 contains chromium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and silicon but in different proportions compared to 300M/S155. Its lower silicon content enhances ductility and reduces brittleness, while maintaining high strength and heat resistance. This makes 4340 ideal for use in forged hydraulic systems as well as in the aerospace and automotive industries.

Explore Our Range of Alloys

Browse our extensive collection of alloys. Each alloy is accompanied by a detailed data sheet, available for download at the bottom of the page. These sheets provide comprehensive information on metal composition, properties, and applications.

At NeoNickel, we are committed to delivering high-quality alloy steels and exceptional service to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Get in touch for more information.