What is added to steel to increase shock resistance, and resistance to softening at hard temperatures?

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When steel needs to absorb impact and stay strong at high temperatures, we choose alloying elements that boost toughness and hot-strength. Molybdenum does this well, because it improves hardenability and helps form stable carbides that resist deformation at elevated temperatures. This combination raises shock resistance and reduces softening, so the steel maintains its strength under hard service. Vanadium mainly refines grain and boosts wear resistance, but its primary benefit isn’t preventing softening at high temperatures. Chromium improves hardness and corrosion resistance, not specifically toughness under impact or hot-strength behavior. Tungsten strengthens steel at high temperatures as well, but molybdenum is the go-to alloying addition for improving both toughness and hot-strength retention.