A hypereutectic chromium white iron alloy which comprises, in weight percent based on the total weight of the alloy, from 1.5 to 2.85 carbon, from 0.01 to 1.2 nitrogen, from 0.1 to 1.4 boron, from 3 to 34 chromium, from 0.1 to 7.5 Ni, and from 0.1 to 4 Si. The alloy may optionally comprise one or more additional elements, i.e., manganese, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, niobium, titanium, zirconium, magnesium and/or calcium, one or more rare earth elements, and one or more of tantalum, hafnium, aluminum. The remainder of the alloy is constituted by iron and unavoidable (incidential) impurities. Articles cast from the alloy, especially cryogenically hardened articles, are also disclosed.