Alloy steel base metal contains addition of Molybdenum, Chromium, Vanadium, Nickel etc. The welder must be aware that each of these alloying elements has an effect similar to increasing the carbon content. This effect is known as the carbon equivalent. These additions helps  in many ways such as refining the grain size and increasing the strength of the metal etc. The effect of these elements can be measured and reference with calculation given below. This carbon equivalent calculation assist to determine the preheat temperature for welding job.

             %Mn + %Si      %Cr + %Mo + %V     %Cu + %Ni
CE = %C +  __________  +  ______________  +  _________
6                         5                      15

Alloy steel base metal contains addition of Molybdenum, Chromium, Vanadium, Nickel etc. The welder must be aware that each of these alloying elements has an effect similar to increasing the carbon content. This effect is known as the carbon equivalent. These additions helps  in many ways such as refining the grain size and increasing the strength of the metal etc. The effect of these elements can be measured and reference with calculation given below. This carbon equivalent calculation assist to determine the preheat temperature for welding job.

             %Mn + %Si      %Cr + %Mo + %V     %Cu + %Ni
CE = %C +  __________  +  ______________  +  _________
6                         5                      15