What is the effect of alloying elements in steel pipes?

Alloy steel is a steel that has small amounts of one or more elements (in addition to carbon) such as manganese, silicon, nickel, copper, chromium and molybdenum in addition. This creates an alloy that has specific properties not found in carbon steel.

Alloy steel pipes have exceptional performance properties. They are generally developed for energy-related applications involving oil and gas drilling and are subjected to stresses on machine parts. Do you know its own properties and effects on alloy steel pipes?

Manganese (Mn)

Manganese is generally used to improve hot ductility. Its effect on ferrite/austenite balance varies with temperature: at low temperature, manganese is an austenitic stabilizer, but at high temperatures it will stabilize ferrite.

Silicon (Si)

Silicon increases oxidation resistance, both at high temperatures and in strongly oxidizing solutions at lower temperatures. It promotes a ferritic microstructure and increases strength.

Nickel (Ni)

A critical element for stainless steel. Nickel generally increases ductility and hardness. It also reduces the rate of corrosion in the active state and is therefore advantageous in acidic environments.

Copper (Cu)

Copper can be added to decrease work hardening in grades designed to improve machinability. It can also be added to improve formability.

Chromium (Cr)

The most important alloying element in stainless steel increases its basic resistance to corrosion. All stainless steels have a Cr content of at least 10.5% and corrosion resistance increases the higher chromium content.

Molybdenum (Mo)

Molybdenum significantly increases uniform and localized corrosion resistance.