Mechanisms of the Influence of Nitrogen on the Structure and Properties of Steels (A Review)

Special features of the structure of nitrogen-containing steels and the role of nitrogen in their hardening are considered. The following mechanisms of the action of nitrogen on the structure and properties of steels are analyzed: change in the state of solid solutions, shifting of the temperature of phase equilibria, segregation of nitride particles, interaction between nitrogen atoms and defects of crystal structure, and effect of nitrogen on the electron subsystem of the metal.