Types of knife steels

07.07.2018

The steel used, as you know, is not an absolute indicator of the quality, cost and cutting ability of a knife, but is important criterion when choosing a knife that meets certain tasks. Here we present short descriptions steels, products from which are presented in our store:

Steel made in Russia

Steel 95X18. Specifications.

Complexly alloyed structural steel resistant to atmospheric corrosion and aggressive environments ah, stainless steel. This steel belongs to the martensitic class. It hardens after quenching as a result of martensitic transformation. After complete annealing, they have a ledeburite structure with excess carbides. Steel is very common in knife making. With proper heat treatment, it has good cutting qualities. If the hardness of the blade on the cutting edge is 57-59 HRc, then this provides the best physical properties. If the hardness of the blade is 60-61 HRc, this will provide the knife with hardness, but add brittleness. It is possible that when the blade meets a solid object, the tip of the knife or cutting edge may crumble a little. Steel is easy to maintain and does not require additional maintenance.

Chemical composition of steel grade95X18

Manufacturer:
A&R, GUNS.

Steel 100X13M. Specifications.

Martensitic grade romomolybdenum steel originally developed as a cutting tool steel. Contains a sufficient amount of chromium to provide high corrosion resistance. Due to alloying with molybdenum, the steel is less prone to brittleness in comparison with 95X18. In addition, molybdenum contributes to the stabilization of the structure during hardening. Qualitative heat treatment allows to have excellent impact strength characteristics and a hardness of at least 59 HRc. The closest foreign analogue is steel 154CM. 100X13M is unique in its working properties. The use of such material achieves an excellent combination of cutting and strength properties, corrosion resistance and the possibility of sharpening at home.

The chemical composition of steel grade 100X13M (EI515)

Manufacturer:"Zlatoust Metallurgical Plant", Russia, Zlatoust.
For the production of knives, this steel is traditionally used: AiR, ZLATKO.

Steel 40X10S2M (EI-107). Specifications.

It is a kind of modification of steel 40X13 with minor changes in composition. For the user, this gives a slightly more stable sharpening of the blade.

Steel 40Kh10S2M is characterized by a relatively low content of alloying elements. At the same time, chromium and silicon additives increase the steel's tendency to temper brittleness. The introduction of molybdenum reduces temper brittleness and prevents significant grain coarsening during quenching, and also increases heat resistance. Despite the relatively low carbon content, correctly carried out heat treatment allows you to get a hardness of 57 units. HRC and at the same time have good wear resistance results, which once again confirms the absence of a clear linear relationship between hardness and wear resistance.

Steel has proven itself in the manufacture of knife and blade products with a high impact load (throwing knives, machetes, etc.), as it has the necessary combination of hardness and toughness. 40X10S2M is resistant to various aggressive media, has excellent wear resistance results and relatively low cost.

Chemical composition of steel 40X10S2M (EI107), % (GOST 5632-72)

Manufacturer:"Zlatoust Metallurgical Plant", Russia, Zlatoust.
For the production of knives, this steel is traditionally used: ZZOSS, ORUZHEINIK, Rosoruzhe, Style-M, ZOK.

Steel EP-766 (95X13M3K3B2F). Specifications.

Corrosion resistant martensitic grade. Vacuum induction remelting, pure in impurities and gases, comparable to American steel 154 CM, for precision parts (high precision). It is used: for the manufacture of extra-strong parts of special equipment; details of the aviation and space industry. The steel is hardened at high temperatures, which makes it possible to perfectly hold the cutting edge on a hard surface. One of the best Russian steels for knives, with high cutting properties.

Steel 110X18M-SHD (EI229). Specifications.

Bearing steel of martensitic class. alloyed. Purpose: rings, balls and rollers of high hardness bearings for oil equipment, axle bushings, rods and other parts that require high strength and wear resistance operating at temperatures up to 500 ° C or exposed to moderate aggressive environments (sea and river water, alkaline solutions, nitric and acetic acids, etc.). In relation to welding, steel is difficult to weld. Steel corrosion-resistant with the normalized size of carbides.

Steel 50x14MF. Specifications.

Steel 50Kh14MF belongs to the martensitic class of the hypereutectoid group of steels. Strengthens after hardening as a result of martensitic transformation. This steel is used for making cutting tools. Due to its high corrosion resistance, it is often used in medical and Food Industry. 50x14MF - good universal steel. Its properties, in fact, are very close to the properties of the well-known domestic steel 65X13, with the exception of one advantage - with high-quality heat treatment, harder and more durable blades are obtained from 50x14MF. They hold the edge better. It is also worth noting that 50X14MF should not be confused with 50X12. The latter is mainly used in the production of kitchen knives.

The chemical composition of the alloy 50X14MF

C	Cr	Fe	Mn	Mo	P	S	Si	V
0,48-0,55	14-15,0	Main	≤0,6	0,45-0,80	≤0,030	≤0,030	≤0,6	0,10-0,15

Damascus(Damascus steel) - a type of steel with visible inhomogeneities on the steel surface, most often in the form of patterns obtained different ways. Used to make melee weapons. Damascus steel gives the blade not only remarkable mechanical properties, but also a special pattern of its famous wavy pattern. Most often in the production of edged weapons are found:

Steel ZD-0803 (U7A-100Kh5MF). Specifications.

Damascus low and medium alloyed

Chemical composition of steelZD-0803 (U7A-100X5MF)

Manufacturer:"Company AiR", Russia, Zlatoust

Steel ZDI-1016 (60X14-140X18). Specifications.

Damascus is highly alloyed, weatherproof.

Steel
	1,45-1,65	0,15-0,40	0,15-0,35	17,5-19,0
	0,56-0,65	< 0,8	< 0,8	13,0-15,0

Steel U10A-7HNM (Damascus). Specifications.

High carbon low alloy composite steel.

Pattern - twisted, wild, Turkish.

U10A-7HNM- Damascus blades have exceptionally high compressive strength, sufficiently high hardness and are distinguished by amazing sharpness. At the same time, their metal, which had a high viscosity, provided the necessary flexibility of the blade, which did not break in battle. Damascus steel gave the blade not only remarkable mechanical properties, but also a special pattern of its famous wavy pattern.

This steel surpasses steel of other brands, such as 65x13, 95x18 in cutting properties several times, but it requires simple maintenance: after working with a knife, it must be wiped dry and lubricated with neutral oil.

Chemical composition of steelU10A-7HNM:

Manufacturer: Zlatoust Specialized Weapons Steel Plant, Russia, Zlatoust

Steel 40X13-X12F1 (stainless Damascus). Specifications.

High alloy steel grade with increased hardness. Used for cutting, measuring tools, household items, items that require wear, such as springs, bearings, etc.).

It is a popular steel with good corrosion resistance. It is used in the manufacture of knives for divers, divers and fishermen. It is common in the production of household knives (including folding knives) of the middle class and souvenir blades.

The durability of the cutting edge is satisfactory, since 40X13-X12MF1 is a rather soft steel. Steel is difficult to harden, however, high-quality hardening gives the blades of this brand a pretty good hardness (up to 58 HRC), which once again confirms the position that high-quality hardening and processing is often more important than the grade (chemical composition) of steel. The softness of this steel can also be a plus, since knives made of 40X13-X12MF1 steel can be easily sharpened. Another positive moment this is that such knives do not rust under any conditions and do not require additional care.

Manufacturer:

Steel 65G-X13 (Contrast Damascus). Specifications.

High-carbon high-alloy (weather-resistant) composite steel.
Number of layers - from 150 to 600
The pattern is twisted, wild.

Chemical composition of steel65G-H13:

Hardness of steel after heat treatment:

Manufacturer: Zlatoust Specialized Weapons Steel Plant, Russia, Zlatoust.

Steel made in Sweden, Austria

RWL 34. Specifications.

W hardening stainless steel - martensite - for the production of knife blades
RWL-34 steel is a powder steel, it differs in that it is produced without a casting process, but with a sintering process, which allows you to create a blade ideal for cutting.

Fast hardening.
The latest technology allows the production and processing (cutting and stamping) of fast hardening RSP steels. 20 years ago ASP steel production (trade name) was established in Söderfors, Sweden. These steels have found their application in those industries where the cutting ability of the object is especially important.
The reason for the success of RSP steels is already in the process of creating these steels by the rapid solidification method.

The rough structure of the carbides of conventional steel limits the hardness of the steel. The accumulation of carbides acts like an initiator to the stress level. Smaller powder metallurgy carbides have less effect on the doubled stress level.
Thus, powder steels are almost twice as hard as conventional steels. Powder steels are the best combination of steel density and hardness.

The diagram shows the hardness and strength of the steel structure.

Chemical composition of steelRWL 34:

Heat treatment

Forging temperature, twisting - 1160 -1050 C (2120 - 1920 F)
Melting point from 1220 C (2230 F). This means that the steel is relatively sensitive to overheating.

RWL-34 is produced using powder technology by the Swedish company Damasteel AB.

Damasteel AB (Sweden)

Damasteel AB brought to the market high-alloy stainless Damascus steels obtained by modern powder metallurgy. This process, called hot isostatic pressing, converts the fast-hardening powder into a compact preform. Damasteel uses RWL 34 as one of the components (light component) in Damascus steel. The second component (dark) is RMS-27 steel. Powders of two grades of steel are placed in layers in the middle of a steel capsule, which is then evacuated and sealed. The powders are welded together under high pressure in a hot isostatic press. Pressing is carried out to a density of 100%. This solid state welding is independent of steel types and even the latest stainless steels can be welded without difficulty as the powder surfaces are protected from oxidation.

ELMAX

Chrome-molybdenum-vanadium powder steel produced by Uddelholn (Austria). Steel has excellent strength characteristics, high corrosion resistance and excellent sharpening properties. Due to the high percentage of chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, it has high compressive strength, corrosion resistance and excellent dimensional stability (resistance to deformation due to changing environmental conditions). It is important that due to the high content of chromium (18%) and molybdenum (1%) in the composition of the alloy, ELMAX steel is very well suited for the manufacture of cutting parts of tools from it, which, by design, must constantly contact moisture-containing food.

In addition, the ELMAX steel blade has useful property ultra-resistant cutting edge. This is achieved through a special stage of additional processing, the essence of which is to strengthen the microstructure of the alloy due to a decrease in the size of carbide grains.

ELMAX steel is hardened to approximately 60 HRC, while powder metallurgy gives it properties that many other steels used in the manufacture of knife blades do not have. This is the best ductility (increase in fracture resistance), impact strength, hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. In addition, the blade made of ELMAX steel lends itself well to polishing, as a result of which the surface of the blade acquires a mirror-like feature.

Composition of steel Uddeholm ELMAX (exact data from the certificate):

Mokume

Mokume- colored Damascus, an alloy of three metals: copper, brass and cupronickel; either from 2 metals: brass and nickel silver (new silver, which is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc)

The mokume gane technique is the fusion of non-ferrous metals with further forging.

MOKU-ME is a Japanese term for a pattern of irregular, wavy lines on a blade. The texture of the blade, similar in pattern to the texture of wood.

The technique of Mokume Gane (lit., "wooden eye" or "wooden eye of metal") is closely related to the method of making the traditional Japanese sword when the blade is forged from dozens of bent steel sheet. Folded "accordion" layers of metal acquire a "wooden", organic structure. In the “sandwich” of Mokume Gan, there are more than 25 layers of different composition, shades and thickness, consisting of gold, copper, platinum, nickel, palladium, and so on. The layers are “cooked” in a furnace where, at a strictly controlled temperature, they do not melt, but are firmly sintered together. As a result, a heterogeneous, durable mass is obtained, on which volumetric drawings of exceptional beauty can be created.

Brand 40X10S2M - purpose

High-alloy heat-resistant steel 40X10S2M of martensitic class is used for the manufacture of intake / exhaust valves, fasteners for motors - automobile, diesel tractor, aircraft engine
Additional information. Material 40X10S2M is heat resistant. Steel, which has high mechanical properties up to 600 0 С, during long-term holding at 500–600 0 С sharply loses its impact strength up to 150 kJ/m 2. . Scale formation temperature 800 0 С.

Steel 40X10S2M - domestic analogues

Material 40X10S2M - characteristics

Grade 40X10S2M - technological features

heat treatment

Forging

Welding

Weldability	Welding methods
Difficult to weld		Heating + heat treatment

Floken sensitivity

Not sensitive.

cutting

Tendency to temper brittleness

Not inclined.

Steel 40X10S2M - chemical composition

Mass fraction of elements, not more than, %:

	Manganese		Molybdenum

Material 40X10S2M - mechanical properties

Assortment	Dimensions - thickness, diameter	Heat treatment mode

		Tempering (air)

Hardness, MPa

Assortment		heat treatment

Temperature of critical points, 0 С

Critical points
Temperature

Impact strength, hardness depending on tempering temperature

	KCU, J / cm 2

Sensitivity to embrittlement with aging



The initial state

Grade 40X10S2M - physical properties


				W/(m deg)		J/ (kg deg)

Steel 40X10S2M - exact and closest foreign analogues

Bulgaria

Germany

European Union

South Korea

Material 40X10S2M - scope

Steel grade 40X10S2M is used in mechanical engineering for the manufacture of valves, engine fasteners.

Conventions

Mechanical properties



Rockwell hardness	Brinell hardness	impact strength	Relative contraction	Elongation at break	Yield strength	Ultimate strength

Weldability

No limits

Limited

Difficult to weld

Heating

up to 100–120 0 С

I would like to assign the name "folk" to this brand. Judge for yourself, more than half of the knives made in Zlatoust come out with blades from EI107. And it's not just about accessibility. Steel has a number of positive properties that are appreciated by consumers. Let's try to list them together with their shortcomings.

Despite the low carbon content in the 40X10S2M composition (only 0.4%), but with the right thermal treatment, it is possible to obtain steel hardness in the range of 57-58 HRC, with good results in wear resistance.

pros

The ratio "price-quality" for this steel is optimal. The relatively low cost of knives made of EI-107 allows consumers to purchase really high-quality blades with good characteristics;
Steel keeps sharpening for a long time;
Resistant to "break" loads with the appropriate thickness of the butt of the blade;
Doesn't rust at all.
Enjoys the attention of hikers, sharpening is easily corrected in the field, so hunters also speak positively about it.
Gunsmiths usually make gift weapons from 40X10S2M. Steel is easily polished and allows you to achieve just a mirror finish.

Minuses

Of the minuses, we note only one point: If the sharpening angle does not correspond to the work performed, the cutting edge of the knife may chip when chopping bones or hitting a hard surface.

Knives made of steel EI-107 are recommended for hikers, tourists, fishermen and hunters. By spending a little money you will get a high-quality working knife with a long service life. The warranty for Zlatoust knives made of this steel is up to 120 (one hundred and twenty) months against manufacturing defects. For sharpening fortieth steel, use fine-grained diamonds or water stones, and a leather belt and GOI paste are quite suitable for straightening the cutting edge.

When sharpening knives from EI 107, choose the right angle: 40 degrees for heavy work (you can cut bones), and an angle of 30 degrees is suitable for using a knife in the kitchen or on a hike.

Most importantly: when buying a knife made of 40X10S2M steel, choose a well-known manufacturer. Only famous brands who have been working with this steel for a long time can guarantee you high-quality hardening, processing and sharpening of knives from 40X ... In this case, the knife will last a very long time and will be a really real "working" tool.