High-Speed Steel (HSS) — Alloying Elements in Increasing Proportion Identify the correct order (lowest to highest proportion) of the principal alloying elements in traditional tungsten HSS grades.

Introduction / Context:
High-speed steels (HSS) derive their hot hardness (“red hardness”), wear resistance, and cutting ability from strong carbide-formers and solid-solution strengthening. Classic tungsten HSS grades (e.g., T1) contain significant tungsten, moderate chromium, and relatively small vanadium. Knowing the typical proportions helps in recognizing grades and predicting performance.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Traditional W-based HSS: W substantial (often ~18%), Cr moderate (~4%), V low (~1%).
• Titanium is not a principal constituent in classical HSS; cobalt may be added for hot hardness but is not universal.

Concept / Approach:
In standard tungsten HSS, tungsten provides hot hardness via complex carbides; chromium contributes hardenability and oxidation resistance; vanadium forms fine VC carbides improving abrasion resistance and grain control but at much lower levels than W and Cr. Therefore, ordering by increasing proportion yields V < Cr < W.

Step-by-Step Solution:
List typical contents: V ~1%, Cr ~4%, W ~18% (illustrative).Arrange from lowest to highest: vanadium → chromium → tungsten.Match with options: “vanadium, chromium, tungsten.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Published compositions of T1 HSS confirm the trend: V is the least among the three; W is the most abundant carbide former in W-based HSS.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Orders starting with tungsten or listing titanium as a major constituent do not reflect classical W-HSS chemistry.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing Mo-HSS (M-series) with W-HSS (T-series); both keep V low relative to Cr and W/Mo.

Final Answer:
vanadium, chromium, tungsten