Looking to improve the strength, durability, and overall performance of steel? Look no further than nitrogen.
This often-overlooked element has a significant impact on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and physical characteristics of steel, making it a valuable addition to any alloy.
From enhancing hardenability and creep strength to improving welding capabilities and surface hardness, nitrogen’s benefits are numerous and varied.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of nitrogen in steel, its effects on various properties, and its applications in different types of steel.
So, whether you’re a metalworking professional or simply curious about the science of steel, read on to discover the power of nitrogen.
1. Effect of nitrogen on Microstructure and heat treatment of steel
① Nitrogen, similar to carbon, can dissolve in iron to form an interstitial solid solution.
② Nitrogen enhances the size of the austenite phase zone in steel, which is a robust element for forming and maintaining stability in austenite.
Its impact is around 20 times that of nickel, and it can partially replace nickel in steel.
③ Nitrogen, along with elements such as chromium, aluminum, vanadium, titanium, and others that infiltrate the steel surface, can form highly stable nitrides. These nitrides serve as surface hardening and strengthening elements.
④ Nitrogen makes the structure of high chromium and high chromium nickel steel more compact and solid.
⑤ Excessive residual nitrogen content in steel can result in macrostructural porosity or holes in the structure.
2. Effect of nitrogen on mechanical properties of steel
① Nitrogen has a solid solution strengthening effect and enhances the hardenability of steel.
② In nitrogen-containing ferritic steel, precipitation hardening may occur as a result of the formation of ultra-microscopic nitrides during tempering, following rapid cooling or prolonged exposure to room temperature.
Nitrogen can also lead to strain aging in low-carbon steel.
As the strength and hardness of steel increase, its toughness decreases and its susceptibility to notch sensitivity increases.
The brittleness of steel caused by nitrogen is comparable to that of phosphorus and has a much greater impact than phosphorus.
Nitrogen is also a significant contributor to blue embrittlement in steel.
③ The strength and impact toughness of high chromium steel and high chromium nickel steel are enhanced without sacrificing plasticity.
④ The creep strength and high temperature rupture strength of the steel are also improved.
3. Effect of nitrogen on physical, chemical and technological properties of steel
① The presence of nitrogen does not have a substantial impact on the corrosion resistance of stainless steel.
② If the nitrogen content exceeds 0.16% by mass, the steel’s resistance to oxidation will decline.
③ Nitrogen-containing steel has a higher rate of hardening due to cold deformation.
④ Nitrogen can decrease the tendency of grain growth in high chromium ferrite steel and enhance its welding capabilities.
4. Application of nitrogen in steel
① Nitrogen is commonly used as an alloying element in steel, with a content typically ranging from less than 0.3% (by mass) to a maximum of 0.6% in specific circumstances.
② It is primarily utilized in nitrided quenched and tempered steel, ordinary low-alloy steel, stainless acid-resistant steel, and heat-resistant non-spalling steel. Among these, heat-resistant non-spalling steel can be used to produce components for steam turbines.
