Silicon

It is used as a deoxidizing agent and hardener so too much would make for brittle steel and too little for a softer steel. Any help?

Hi,

Thanks for replying. I know that it used as deoxidizer. But i have read an article which says that reducing Si to 0.4% from 1% in die steels improves the toughness and hence the die life.

I wanted to know, wht exactly happens by which improvement in life of die takes place or is it true that reducing Si increases die life.

please give ur suggestion.