Effect of Niobium on Mechanical Properties of Steels and High-Entropy Alloys.

Recent publications of foreign and Russian researchers on the influence of niobium microalloying of pearlite steels and high-entropy alloys on their mechanical properties are briefly reviewed. The focus is made on the Nb effect on the microstructure and properties of rail steels and five-component (CoCrFeNiMn) Cantor alloys. The physical mechanisms of strengthening rail steels and high-entropy alloys are revealed and analyzed. An enhanced alloying effect in the case of a combined introduction of Nb + V and Nb + C into the high-entropy alloys is noted and interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]