Definitions for "CARBIDES"
Carbides are chemical compounds comprising carbon and either single metallic elements, or more complex combinations of more than one metallic element. The simplest example is iron carbide which is always present in steels. Provided carbides are present in the correct form, ie with regard to size and dispersion, they are beneficial. Carbides of iron, chromium, molybdenum are formed in quenched and tempered steels and help create the required combination of strength and toughness. Particular use is made of carbides, (or the more complex carbonitrides, which include nitrogen) in high strength low alloy (HSLA) microalloyed steels. A proportion of the increased strength of these materials is due to the effects which eg niobium carbide precipitates have on the structure of the product. The composition, size and distribution of carbides has a significant effect on steel properties.
As found in steel,carbides are compounds of carbon and one or more of the metallic elements, such as iron, chromium, tungsten, etc.
Compounds formed when carbon combines with one or more metallic elements. For example, in stainless steels when excess chromium carbides form, corrosion resistance can be reduced.