- 2080 Bhadra · 2 marks
Why alloy steels are preferred
Short answer
Alloy steels contain added elements like Cr, Ni, Mo, giving higher strength, corrosion and heat resistance, and better response to heat treatment than plain carbon steel, allowing thinner, lighter members and material savings.
Why are alloy steels preferred in various fields of manufacture and construction?
Alloy steels contain added elements (Cr, Ni, Mn, Mo, V, etc.) that give properties plain carbon steel cannot match. They are preferred because they give:
- Higher strength and hardness, with good toughness.
- Better corrosion resistance (stainless steel) and heat resistance.
- Better wear and fatigue resistance.
- Good response to heat treatment (deeper hardening).
- Special properties for particular uses, such as free machining, non-magnetic behaviour or special magnetic and electrical properties (e.g. silicon steel for transformer cores).
So thinner and lighter members can be used, which saves weight and material despite the higher cost.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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