Type of Materials & Properties

1. Ferrous Metal- Cast Iron, Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel,

High Alloy Steel
2. Non Ferrous Metal- Aluminum, Nickel, Copper, Zinc,
Bronze, Brass, Lead etc.
Chemical Properties of Metals decides:
1. Mechanical Properties- Strength, Ductility, Hardness,
Toughness, Fatigue Resistance.
2. Weldability- The ease with which a metal can be
successfully welded.
3. Corrosion Resistance
 Type of Steel
Most widely used in Industries. Steel is an alloy mainly containing
Iron (Fe) but also contain small amount of carbon, Manganese,
Phosphorus and Silicon. The amount of Carbon content has the
greatest effect on properties of Steel.
Common Name Carbon Content Typical Use Weldibility

Ingot Iron 0.03% Max. Galvanizing and Deep Excellent

Drying Sheet & Strip
Low Carbon Steel 0.15% Max. Welding Electrodes, Excellent
Special Plate, Sheet &
Strip
Mild Steel 0.15% - 0.30% Structural Material, Good
Plate & Bar
Medium Carbon Steel 0.30% - 0.50% Machinery Parts Fair ( Preheat and frequent
post heat is required )
High Carbon Steel 0.50% - 1.00% Springs, Dyes, Rails Poor
 Low Alloy Steel
Low alloy Steel contain minor additions of other elements such as
Nickel, Chromium, Manganese, Silicon, Vanadium,
Columbium, Aluminum, Molybdenum and Boron.
These elements changes the Mechanical properties to a great extent.
Classification of Low Alloy Steel:
1. High Strength Low Alloy Structural Steel
2. Automotive and Machinery Steels
3. Steel for Low Temperature Service
4. Steels for elevated Temperature Service
 High Alloy Steel
Stainless Steel and other Corrosion Resistant Alloys are
examples of this Steel Alloy group.
Stainless Steel (SS) contains atleast 12% Chromium and
significant amount of Nickel.
Groups of Stainless Steel
1. Austenitic
2. Martensitic
3. Ferritic
4. Precipitation Hardening
5. Duplex Grades
 Composition of Austenitic Steel
AISI Type Carbon % Mn ( Max.) Silicon ( Chromium Nickel Other *
( Maximum) Max.)
304 0.08 2.00 1.00 18.00 – 20.00 8 – 12 -

304 L 0.03 2.00 1.00 18.00 – 20.00 8 – 12 -

310 0.25 2.00 1.50 24.00 – 26.00 19 – 22 -

316 0.08 2.00 1.00 16.00 – 18.00 10 – 14 2.00 – 3.00

Mo

321 0.02 2.00 1.00 17.00 – 19.00 9 - 12 5XC

Minimum Ti

* Note: Phosphorus is 0.06 Max, Sulfur is 0.030 Max.

 Composition of Martensitic, Ferritic Steel
AISI Type Carbon % Mn ( Max.) Silicon ( Chromium Nickel Other *
( Maximum) Max.)

Martensitic 0.15 1.00 0.50 11.50 – 13.00 - -

403

Martensitic 0.15 1.00 1.00 11.50 – 13.50 - -

410

Martensitic 0.15 1.00 1.00 12.00 – 14.00 - -

420

Ferritic 0.12 1.00 1.00 14.00 – 18.00 - -

430
Ferritic 0.20 1.50 1.00 23.00 – 27.00 - 0.25% Max N
446

* Note: Sulfur is 0.030 Max.

 Effects of Chemical Elements in Steel
Carbon- Increases hardness, tensile strength and response to Heat
Treatment ( hardenability), reduces Weldibility
Sulfur- It is an impurity that increase brittleness and reduced
weldibility.
Phosphorus- It is an impurity that hardens the Steel and cause
cracking.
Silicon- It is an deoxidiser. It increases the strength.
Manganese- It assists in deoxidation, prevents formation of Iron
Sulphide inclusions & increases strength.
Chromium- Increases hardenability & improves the corrosion
resistance.
 Effects of Chemical Elements in Steel-2

Nickel- Increases Hardenability, improves toughness and ductability at low

temperature.
Molybdenum- Increase hardenability and elevated temperature strength,
improves corrosion resistance in Austenitic SS.
Aluminum- Added in very small amount as de-oxidizer, improves toughness by
grain refining ( Fine Grain Practice )
Vanadium- It is added in minute amounts to increase hardenability. More than
0.05% may cause cracking during SR Treatment.
Niobium (Columbium)- Added to Austenitic SS as Stabilizer to improve as-
welded properties.
Dissolved Gases- Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen all dissolve in molten steel and
can embrittle steel if not removed.