Effect of Chemical Elements in Steel
Carbon – is generally considered to be the most important alloying element in steel and can be present up to 2% (although most welded steels have less than 0.5%). Increased amounts of carbon increase hardness and tensile strength, as well as response to heat treatment (hardenability). Increased amounts of carbon will reduce weldability. Sulfur – is usually an undesirable impurity in steel rather than an alloying element. In amounts exceeding 0.05% it tends to cause brittleness and reduce weldability. Alloying additions of sulfur in amounts from 0.10% to 0.30% will tend to improve the machinability of a steel. Such types may be...
