Question

Vanadium in high speed steels:

• A. Provides high hot hardness
• B. Promotes retention of austenite
• C. Increases toughness
• D. Forms very hard carbides and thus increases wear resistance

Hint:

In tool steels, vanadium forms hard carbides that increase wear resistance and edge retention — critical for cutting applications.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Role of alloying elements in high speed steel High-speed steels (HSS) contain multiple alloying elements like: - Tungsten, - Molybdenum, - Chromium, - Vanadium. Each element contributes specific properties. Vanadium is a strong carbide-forming element. Step 2: Vanadium's influence Vanadium: - Forms extremely hard vanadium carbides (VC), - These carbides are finely dispersed, - They resist abrasion and maintain cutting edges during service, - This improves wear resistance and life of the tool. Step 3: Conclusion Thus, vanadium increases wear resistance in HSS by forming very hard carbides.