High strength low alloy steels offer many advantages over standard carbon steels.
The addition of alloying elements increases the strength and hardness of the steel. The atoms of the element help stop the movement of dislocations in the carbon steel microstructure. Several alloying elements like tungsten, vanadium, silicon, nickel, molybdenum and manganese increase the strength and hardness of carbon steel. Nickel can increase the toughness of steel.
The corrosion resistance of high strength low alloy steels can also be improved. Alloying elements such as copper, nickel and chromium enhance the corrosion resistance of steel. This is possible because copper, nickel, and chromium in high strength low alloy steels oxidize more readily than iron, which prevents the iron from forming iron oxides, which can rust.
