STEEL PROPERTIES

4034 STAINLESS STEEL

FEATURES OF 4034 STAINLESS STEEL

4034 stainless steel is a steel made by Thyssen-Krupp, a German steel manufacturer. It has a moderate carbon content of 0.5%, which makes it softer than most other steels. It also has a high chromium content of 14.5%, which gives it good corrosion resistance. It is used for making knives, such as diving, folding, kitchen, and utility knives.


Hardness: It has a hardness of 54-58 HRC on the Rockwell scale, which is similar to other soft steels like 420HC. This means that it is easy to sharpen.


Toughness: It has a high toughness, which means that it can withstand pressure and stress from tough applications without breaking or chipping. This is due to the high chromium content, which also improves the hardenability of the steel when heat-treated.


Wear resistance: It has a low wear resistance, which means that it is prone to abrasion and erosion from friction and contact with other materials. This is because it lacks other elements that contribute to wear resistance, such as molybdenum or vanadium.

 

4116 STAINLESS STEEL

FEATURES OF 4116 STAINLESS STEEL
4116 stainless steel is an alloy steel made by Thyssen-Krupp, a German steel manufacturer. It has a high carbon content of 0.55%, which makes it hard. It also has a chromium content of 15%, which gives it excellent corrosion resistance. It is also used for making high-end cutlery, surgical instruments, and Swiss Army knives.

Some of the features of 4116 stainless steel are:

Hardness: It has a hardness of 55-57 HRC on the Rockwell scale.

Toughness: It has a high toughness, which means that it can stand pressure and stress from tough applications without breaking or chipping. This is due to the high chromium content, which also improves the hardenability of the steel when heat-treated.

Edge retention: It has a decent edge retention, which means that it does not lose its sharpness quickly after use. This is because it has a higher carbon content, which affects the formation of carbides that enhance edge retention.

In conclusion, 4116 stainless steel is a better steel compared to other steels at the same price range, it is more competitive and offers superior performance

 

N690 STAINLESS STEEL

FEATURES OF N690 STAINLESS STEEL

N690 stainless steel is a high-end alloy steel made by Böhler, an Austrian steel manufacturer. It has a high carbon content of 1.07%, which makes it very hard and durable. It also has a high chromium content of 17%, which gives it excellent corrosion resistance. It is also used for making premium knives, surgical instruments, and marine applications.

Some of the features of N690 stainless steel are:

Hardness: It has a hardness of 58-60 HRC on the Rockwell scale, which is higher than most other steels. This means that it maintains an edge for a long time.

Toughness: It has a moderate toughness, which means that it can withstand some pressure and stress from tough applications without breaking or chipping. This is due to the presence of cobalt, which also improves the hardenability of the steel when heat-treated.

Wear resistance: It has a high wear resistance, which means that it is resistant to abrasion and erosion from friction and contact with other materials. This is because it contains other elements that contribute to wear resistance, such as molybdenum and vanadium.

Edge retention: It has a high edge retention, which means that it does not lose its sharpness quickly after use. This is because it has a high carbon content, which affects the formation of carbides that enhance edge retention.

In conclusion, N690 stainless steel is a very good steel for knives, especially for corrosion resistance. It has high hardness, edge retention, and wear resistance. Compared to other steels at the same price range, it is more competitive and offers superior performance.

 

M390 STEEL

M390 Steel is known for its exceptional qualities, making it a popular choice for various applications. Here are the key features of M390 steel:

Corrosion Resistance: M390 steel exhibits excellent corrosion resistance due to its high chromium content. This makes it suitable for use in environments where exposure to moisture and harsh conditions is common.

Edge Retention: One of M390's standout features is its remarkable edge retention. It maintains a sharp edge for a long time, reducing the need for frequent sharpening.

Hardness (63-64 HRC): M390 steel has the potential for high hardness, contributing to its excellent wear resistance. This hardness ensures that it can withstand heavy use without significant wear.

Sharpening: M390 is relatively easy to sharpen, especially with softer abrasives. This makes it a practical choice for those who want to maintain a sharp edge without the need for specialized sharpening equipment.

Powder Metallurgy: M390 is produced using a powder metallurgy process, which enhances its overall quality and consistency. This process involves mixing and sintering powdered metals to create a homogenous material with desirable properties.

Toughness and Ductility: M390 steel offers good toughness and ductility, meaning it can withstand impacts and bending without breaking easily.

Wear Resistance: M390 steel has very high wear resistance, making it suitable for cutting tools and applications that require long-term durability.

Machinability: It has good machinability, allowing it to be worked into various shapes and forms with relative ease.

Dimensional Stability: M390 steel exhibits very high dimensional stability, ensuring that it maintains its shape and properties over time.

Polishability: The steel is highly polishable, making it suitable for applications where a smooth, reflective surface is desired.

M390 steel's combination of corrosion resistance, edge retention, and overall performance has made it a sought-after material for a wide range of tools, including high-end knives, cutting instruments, and industrial applications.

 

DAMASCUS STEEL

FEATURES OF DAMASCUS STEEL

Damascus steel is a type of forged steel that was used to make swords and other weapons in the past. It has a distinctive pattern of banding and mottling that resembles flowing water, sometimes called a “ladder” or “rose” pattern. Damascus steel is made from ingots of wootz steel, which is a form of high-carbon crucible steel that was produced in India, Sri Lanka, or Iran Damascus steel is known for being tough, resistant to shattering, and capable of being honed to a sharp edge.

Some of the properties of Damascus steel are:

It has a high carbon content, ranging from 1.2% to 2.1%, which makes it hard and strong.


It contains various elements, such as chromium, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, silicon, and vanadium, that form carbides in the steel. These carbides are distributed in clusters or spheroids throughout the steel, creating the pattern and enhancing the hardness and wear resistance.


It has a dendritic structure, which means it has branched crystals that grow from the liquid steel during cooling. The dendrites and the interdendritic regions have different compositions and properties, creating a heterogeneous microstructure.


It undergoes a process of forging and folding, which involves heating, hammering, and folding the steel repeatedly. This process aligns the carbides along the direction of forging, creating the banding effect. It also reduces the grain size and removes impurities, improving the toughness and ductility of the steel.


Damascus steel knives are considered one of the most attractive and well-crafted knives on the market. If you are looking for a knife that will last a lifetime and stand out from the rest, a Damascus steel knife might be a perfect choice for you. 😊

 

VANAX STAINLESS STEEL

Vanax steel is a high-performance stainless steel that is often used for making knives. Here are the key features of Vanax steel knives:

  1. Corrosion Resistance: Vanax steel is highly resistant to corrosion due to its high chromium content. This makes it ideal for use in environments with exposure to moisture and humidity.

  2. Edge Retention: One of the standout features of Vanax steel is its exceptional edge retention. Knives made from Vanax steel can maintain a sharp edge for an extended period, reducing the need for frequent sharpening.

  3. Toughness: Vanax steel is known for its toughness, which means it can withstand impacts and lateral forces without chipping or breaking easily.

  4. Hardness: It has the potential for high hardness, which contributes to its excellent wear resistance. This hardness ensures that it can withstand heavy use without significant wear.

  5. Ease of Sharpening: Despite its high hardness, Vanax steel is relatively easy to sharpen. This makes it a practical choice for those who want to maintain a sharp edge without the need for specialized sharpening equipment.

  6. Fine Grain Structure: Vanax steel typically has a fine grain structure, which further enhances its overall performance and sharpness.

  7. Vanadium Content: Vanax steel often contains vanadium, which contributes to its exceptional edge retention and wear resistance.

  8. Cobalt and Nitrogen Additions: Some variants of Vanax steel include cobalt and nitrogen, which enhance hardness, corrosion resistance, and toughness.

  9. Stainless Properties: Vanax steel is known for its stainless properties, meaning it is highly resistant to staining and discoloration.

  10. Premium Quality: Vanax steel is considered a premium steel for knife making and is often used in high-end, custom, and specialty knives.

Overall, Vanax steel knives are favored for their impressive combination of corrosion resistance, edge retention, toughness, and sharpness, making them a popular choice among knife enthusiasts and professionals.

 

5160 FORGED STEEL

FEATURES OF 5160 FORGED STEEL

5160 forged steel knives have several distinctive features that make them popular among knife makers and enthusiasts. Here are the key features of 5160 forged steel knives:

  1. Toughness: 5160 steel is known for its excellent toughness, making it a great choice for knives that need to withstand heavy use and impacts. It can resist chipping and breaking even in demanding situations.

  2. Corrosion Resistance: While not stainless steel, 5160 has better corrosion resistance compared to some other carbon steels. Proper care and maintenance can help prevent rust and corrosion.

  3. Ease of Sharpening: 5160 is relatively easy to sharpen, making it a practical choice for those who want a knife that can be maintained with minimal effort.

  4. Edge Retention: 5160 steel offers good edge retention, ensuring that the knife remains sharp for a reasonable period of time.

  5. Tensile Strength: It has a high tensile strength, which contributes to its durability and ability to withstand bending without breaking.

  6. Versatility: 5160 steel is versatile and suitable for various knife types, including survival, hunting, and outdoor knives.

  7. Spring Steel: It is often used for making springs due to its spring-like qualities, which also contribute to its toughness and resilience.

Overall, 5160 forged steel knives are a popular choice for those who require a robust and durable knife that can handle tough tasks while still being relatively easy to maintain.

 

CARBON STEEL

FEATURES OF CARBON STEEL

Carbon steel is known for its diverse range of properties that make it a widely used material in various applications. Here are the key features of carbon steel:

  1. Carbon Content: Carbon steels contain varying levels of carbon, typically less than 2%. The amount of carbon influences the material's properties.

  2. Strength and Hardness: Carbon steel exhibits high strength, hardness, and wear resistance, making it suitable for applications that require durability.

  3. Ductility: Depending on the carbon content, carbon steel can balance strength with ductility, allowing it to be shaped and formed without losing its structural integrity.

  4. Weldability: Carbon steel is generally weldable, facilitating its use in construction, fabrication, and other industries requiring joining processes[1].

  5. Cost-Effectiveness: Known for its low cost, carbon steel is an economical choice for various applications, contributing to its widespread use in manufacturing and construction.

  6. Versatility: Carbon steel comes in various forms, including low, medium, and high-carbon steel, each suitable for specific applications.

In summary, carbon steel's features include a balance of strength and ductility, weldability, cost-effectiveness, and versatility, making it a crucial material in multiple industries.