Application of VN Alloy in High Speed Steel


Abstract:

Research into low alloy high speed (HS) steels has been carried out in several countries with the objectives of improving the utilization of alloying elements and of reducing costs, thus improving the economics of use of such steels. In Russia, the annual production of low alloy HS steels accounts for some 16% of the total production of HS steels. In Sweden, half of the HS steel saw blades for machines are made of steel D953. In the principal HS steel plant in Austria, the annual production of low alloy HS steel constitutes 6.3% of the total production. Some low alloy HS steels, such as W3Mo2Cr4VSi and W4Mo3Cr4VSi have also been developed and applied in China.

Adding nitrogen is one of the approaches for improving the structure of HS steels. Nitrogen added to these steels can increase both their hardness and thermal stability in the tempered condition. Up to 800ppm nitrogen can be absorbed in HS steels, where it can form complex carbo-nitrides with vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum. The propensity of vanadium to combine with nitrogen is greater than that of either tungsten or molybdenum.

The most important criterion in the development of modern HS steels has been their ability to utilize lower levels of expensive alloying additions, while maintaining or improving their cutting properties. To this end, the potential reductions in molybdenum and tungsten levels which may be achieved by increasing the nitrogen level of vanadium-containing HS steels could have significant technical and economic benefits. It is the purpose of this paper to explore these benefits.


Author:

Ke Xiaotao

Affiiation

Panzhihua Iron and Steel Research Institute, P. R. China.


Source:

Vanitec Publication (V0404)