Microalloying effects on microstructure and mechanical properties of 18Cr–2Mo ferritic stainless steel heavy plates

•We focus on Nb–V stabilized 18Cr–2Mo ferritic stainless steel with/without Ti.•We compare microstructures and mechanical properties of steels using several methods.•Modification of microstructure that Ti induces reduces toughness of FSS heavy plates.•Properties improvement Nb–V steel brings is important for application of FSS plates.