[1] Secondary alloying metals, which include cobalt, molybdenum and titanium, are added to produce intermetallic precipitates.
[2] The intent was to induce age-hardening with the aforementioned intermetallics in an iron-nickel martensitic matrix, and it was discovered that Co and Mo complement each other very well.
Maraging steels offer good weldability, but must be aged afterward to restore the original properties to the heat affected zone.
Non-stainless varieties of maraging steel are moderately corrosion-resistant and resist stress corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement.
This is followed by air cooling or quenching to room temperature to form a soft, heavily dislocated iron-nickel lath (untwinned) martensite.
Newer compositions of maraging steels have revealed other intermetallic stoichiometries and crystallographic relationships with the parent martensite, including rhombohedral and massive complex Ni50(X,Y,Z)50 (Ni50M50 in simplified notation).
[citation needed] They are suitable for engine components, such as crankshafts and gears, and the firing pins of automatic weapons that cycle from hot to cool repeatedly while under substantial load.
Their uniform expansion and easy machinability before aging make maraging steel useful in high-wear components of assembly lines and dies.
In the sport of fencing, blades used in competitions run under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime are usually made with maraging steel.
[22] It is also used in surgical components and hypodermic syringes, but is not suitable for scalpel blades because the lack of carbon prevents it from holding a good cutting edge.
Maraging steel is used in oil and gas sector as downhole tools and components due to its high mechanical strength.