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ALLOY STEEL

Superior Strength. Corrosion Resistant. Enhance Your Projects with Alloy Steel.

Benefits of Alloy Steel

Find the Benefits of Alloy Steel

Types of Alloy Steel

Learn about the Type of Alloy Steel

Industries & Applications

Explore industries benefiting from Alloy Steel

Dimensions & Properties

Learn about Dimensions and properties

Introduction to Alloy Steel

Alloy steel is a type of steel that incorporates various alloying elements, such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, manganese, and silicon, to enhance its mechanical properties and performance. The carbon content in alloy steel can vary, allowing for a wide range of characteristics tailored to specific applications. Alloy steel typically has a yield strength of 250 to 550 MPa (36.26 to 79.77 ksi) and a tensile strength ranging from 600 to 1500 MPa (87.02 to 217.56 ksi). It is known for its superior strength, hardness, toughness, ductility, and high-temperature performance. The steel’s composition can be adjusted through heat treatment processes to transform it into Hot Rolled Steel, enhancing its hardenability, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Alloy steel is highly regarded in the market for its versatility and enhanced properties, making it ideal for demanding applications in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and manufacturing.
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Benefits of Alloy Steel

Alloy steel offers several significant advantages:

  • Superior Strength: Enhanced by alloying elements, providing higher strength compared to carbon steel.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Alloying elements like chromium and nickel improve corrosion resistance, making it suitable for harsh environments.
  • Wear Resistance: Elements such as vanadium and molybdenum increase wear resistance, extending the lifespan of components.
  • Heat Resistance: Maintains strength and hardness at high temperatures, ideal for high-temperature applications.
  • Hardenability: Alloying elements improve hardenability, allowing for deeper hardening during heat treatment.
  • Versatility: Available in a wide range of grades, making it suitable for diverse applications in various industries.
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Types of Alloy Steel

Alloy steel is classified into three main categories based on the amount of alloying elements they contain: low-alloy steel, medium-alloy steel, and high-alloy steel.
  • Low-Alloy Steel (Alloying Element Content <5%)
    • Boron Steel: Hard, wear-resistant, used in automotive and agricultural parts.
    • AISI 4140 and 4340: High strength and toughness for gears and aerospace.
    • AISI 6150, 8620, and 4130: Used for springs, crankshafts, and motorsports.
  • Medium-Alloy Steel (Alloying Element Content 5%-10%)
    • 300M: High-strength, low-alloy steel for aircraft landing gear.
    • Silicon Steel: For improved electrical performance in transformers and motors.
    • Tool Steel: High hardness and wear resistance, used in cutting and drilling tools.
  • High-Alloy Steel (Alloying Element Content >10%)
    • H13 Tool Steel: Tough, hard, heat-resistant, used for dies, molds, and tooling.
    • AISI 316 Stainless : Corrosion-resistant, high-temp, for marine and chemical use.
    • Maraging Steel: Ultra-strong and tough, for aerospace and high-performance.

Industries & Applications​

Alloy steel is a specialized type of steel designed for use in demanding applications across various industries. It is chosen for its superior strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion and high temperatures, making it ideal for automotive, aerospace, and construction projects.

Some common industries and applications include:

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Automotive Industry

Used in manufacturing high-strength components such as gears, shafts, and suspension systems.
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Aerospace Industry

Ideal for critical components like landing gear, engine parts, and structural elements requiring high strength and fatigue resistance.
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Construction Industry

Utilized in structural applications, such as beams and columns, that demand superior strength and toughness.
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Manufacturing

Commonly used in the production of industrial tools, machinery parts, and molds due to its wear resistance and hardness.
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Energy Sector

Used in power generation equipment, oil and gas drilling tools, and pipelines, benefiting from its high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance.
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Tool and Die Making

Preferred for dies, molds, and tooling that require high hardness, toughness, and thermal stability.
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Shipbuilding

Used in the construction of ships and marine structures due to its resistance to corrosion and high strength.
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Railway Industry

Applied in manufacturing railway tracks and components, offering durability and wear resistance under heavy loads and frequent use.

Dimensions & Properties

Whether steel qualifies as plate or sheet depends on the specification used for certification. There is a large overlap in popular thicknesses between plate and sheet, but steel plates are offered in a much broader range of sizes.
AISI 4340AISI 8620AISI 6150
Yield Strength745 MPa (108 ksi)620 MPa (90 ksi)760 MPa (110 ksi)
Tensile Strength1100 MPa (160 ksi)930 MPa (135 ksi)1080 MPa (157 ksi)
Material StandardASTM A29 / A29MASTM A29 / A29MASTM A29 / A29M
Vickers HardnessApproximately 248-302 HVApproximately 156-207 HVApproximately 248-302 HV

Alloy Steel When & Where You Need It​

Here, you get more than just quality steel. With multiple facilities across the country capable of providing high-strength steels, we can also work with you to manage your inventory, ensuring you get product when and where you need it to keep your production running.

Explore Our Available Steel Products & Grades​

Our knowledge and experience give nearly 100% accurate delivery of alloy steel products processed and packaged to your exact specifications.

Is Alloy Steel Rust Proof?

No, alloy steel is not entirely rust-proof, but it can be more corrosion-resistant than plain carbon steel depending on the alloying elements used, such as chromium and nickel.

What are the Benefits of Alloy Steel?

Alloy steel offers enhanced strength, toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance compared to plain carbon steel. It can also be tailored for specific properties through various alloying elements.

Does Alloy Tarnish Easily?

The tendency of an alloy to tarnish depends on its composition. Some alloys, like stainless steel, are resistant to tarnishing, while others may tarnish more easily.

Is Alloy Steel Safe for Food?

Yes, certain types of alloy steel, particularly stainless steel, are safe for food contact as they are resistant to corrosion and do not leach harmful substances.

What's Better, Metal or Alloy Steel?

“Better” depends on the application. Alloy steel generally offers superior mechanical properties and corrosion resistance compared to plain metals, making it more suitable for demanding applications.

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