If you have been making knives for a long time or even if you are a beginner in the art of cutlery, you may have realized that choosing steel is one of the most important parts of your project. Our theme: the composition of cutlery
Steel is basically formed by a combination of iron and carbon , however, each chemical element that is added to this mixture has a direct effect on the properties of toughness (mechanical resistance) and hardness (physical resistance), creating several advantages and disadvantages . which must be observed according to the needs of the steel application in question.
The composition of cutlery and types of steels
In the composition of cutlery there are literally thousands of types of steel ( carbon steels, alloy steels, tool steels, stainless steels, etc.) and all are made up of different chemical elements and properties , which make them more or less suitable for Specific uses, such as the manufacture of springs, screws or blades.
What is the influence of the main chemical elements on the composition of cutlery and steels used to make handmade knives and blades :
Carbon (C)
Carbon is an essential ingredient for the existence of steel. It is the most important element of steel hardening, reducing the wear the material may experience over time, but as it is added, it can reduce the hardness of the steel. and increase its oxidation potential.
That’s why the amount of carbon says so much about your blades.
Chrome (Cr)
Chromium is the element that acts to combat corrosion of steel. The stainless steel knives have chrome as the main ingredient, usually the least 12%. Chromium will also increase the strength of a knife, but adding chromium in large amounts decreases the strength.
Cobalt (Co)
Cobalt is a metal with high mechanical and corrosion resistance, its characteristics and properties very close to those of nickel, but it has a higher cost. It is used to strengthen steel and improve its resistance to oxidation.
Copper (Cu)
Copper is a metal widely used since ancient times. In the composition of steels it is used to combat corrosion, machinability (ease of machining), mechanical resistance and others, maintaining high electrical and thermal conductivity.
Manganese (Mn)
Manganese is considered one of the most important addition elements for steel, since it helps to improve the response of the material to heat treatment , increasing its temperability, reducing the distortion of the pieces and improving its resistance to corrosion.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Molybdenum helps to increase the heat resistance of steels where it is present and in the presence of nickel and chromium, it allows to increase the tensile strength limit and the performance limit. In high speed steel, it increases toughness, maintaining the properties of hot hardness and cutting retention.
Nickel (Ni)
Nickel is used to increase steel hardness , impact resistance, and ductility. It is also a material with high mechanical resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
Nitrogen (N)
This element is sometimes used as a carbon substitute in stainless steel. When nitrogen is added to austenitic steels, it is possible to simultaneously increase fatigue life, mechanical strength, wear resistance and corrosion.
Phosphorus (P)
Phosphorous has some favorable aspects in low carbon steels, because by increasing the hardness of steel, it also increases its tensile strength. Furthermore, phosphorous improves the corrosion resistance and machinability of steels, especially when added together with sulfur.
Silicon (yes)
It is characterized by increasing resistance in poor steels and produces strong hardness , resistance to wear and acids. Plus, it removes oxygen from the metal while it’s forming.
Sulfur (S)
Sulfur is present in all steels, as an impurity, therefore, its concentration cannot exceed 0.05%. By combining the sulfur content with manganese, manganese sulfide is formed, a plastic compound that facilitates machining, but reduces the strength of steel, especially in stainless steels.
Selenium (Se)
Selenium is used in the composition of steels in the same way as sulfur, to improve the machinability of steels, in addition to reducing the resistance to corrosion in stainless steels.
Tungsten (W)
Tungsten increases the limit tensile strength, abrasion, and hot hardness of steels, however, reduces their thermal conductivity. This element is widely found in high speed steels and is a carbide former that improves the cutting retention of the blades.
Vanadium (V)
Vanadium in small concentrations increases hot hardness and decreases the grain size of the steel. It also helps improve cut retention, wear resistance, and performance limit on steels.
So, did you like this content on cutlery compassion? Take the opportunity to know all the knives we have in our store .
