"Avtomatychne Zvaryuvannya" (Automatic Welding), #5, 2026, pp. 10-21
Influence of alloying elements on the structure and properties of high-hardness steel welded joints (Review)
V.А. Kostin
, V.D. Poznyakov
, I.I. Alekseienko
, T.O. Alekseienko
, O.S. Kushnarova
, O.M. Berdnikova
E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the NAS of Ukraine
11 Kazymyr Malevych Str., 03150, Kyiv, Ukraine.
E-mail: valerykostinepwi@gmail.com
This article provides a comprehensive metallurgical analysis of high-hardness (450…550 HB) and ultra-high-hardness (>600 HB)
armor steels. The primary focus is placed on the selection of an alloying system based on the armor plate thickness (with a
threshold of 20 mm) and the corresponding metal hardness). The mechanisms of chromium, silicon, and aluminum influence
on hardenability, martensitic structure stability, and ballistic resistance are examined. A dedicated section covers the processes
in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) during welding, analyzing the formation of the «softened zone» and methods for preventing
delayed fracture. A comparative analysis of US (MIL standards) and EU armor steels (Armox, Mars, Ramor) identifies modern
trends in protection design for light and heavy armored vehicles. 40 Ref., 2 Tabl., 3 Fig.
Keywords: high-hardnesssteels, HHA, UHHA steels, structure, HAZ metal, coldcracks, delayedfracture, CCT diagrams
Received: 26.02.2026
Received in revised form: 25.05.2026
Accepted: 30.09.2026
Posted online: 20.10.2026
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Suggested Citation
V.А. Kostin, V.D. Poznyakov, I.I. Alekseienko, T.O. Alekseienko, O.S. Kushnarova, O.M. Berdnikova (2026) Influence of alloying elements on the structure and properties of high-hardness steel welded joints (Review).
Automatic Welding, 05, 10-21.
https://doi.org/10.37434/as2026.05.02
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