The high-strength low-alloy's fine-grained structure makes it stronger than ordinary carbon steel, and this fine-grained structure is achieved by affecting the transition temperature.
During air cooling, austenite can be transformed into ferrite and pearlite at lower temperatures.
At the low carbon levels typical of HSLA steels, non-ferrous elements such as silicon, copper, nickel and phosphorus are particularly effective in the production of fine pearlite.
The addition of chromium, copper and nickel forms a stable rust layer that adheres to the base metal and has far fewer pores than the rust layer formed on ordinary structural steels, thus greatly reducing the rate of corrosion and making these steels more durable Use in the uncoated state.
