Product Warranty

STEEL
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ALLOY
A material that is dissolved in another metal in a
solid solution; a material that results when two or
more elements combine in a solid solution.
AUSTENETIZED
The basic steel structure state in which an alloy is
uniformly dissolved into iron.
CRITICAL TEMPERATURE
The temperature at which steel changes
its structure to austenite in preparation for
hardening.
CORROSION RESISTANCE
The ability of a material to resist deterioration as a
result of a reaction to its environment. Provided
by the elements Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu),
Molybdenum (Mo) and Nitrogen (N).
DUCTILITY
The ability of a material to be stretched or drawn,
plastically deform appreciably before fracturing.
Provided by the element Manganese (Mn).
EDGE RETENTION
The ability of a material to resist abrasion and
wear. Provided by the elements Carbon (C),
Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Nitrogen (N)
and Vanadium (V).
GRIT
The physical size of the austenite grains during
austenizing. The actual size can vary due to
thermal, time and forging considerations.
HARDNESS
The resistance of a steel to deformation or
penetration analogous to strength. Provided by
the elements Carbon (C), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt
(Co), Molybdenum (Mo), Nitrogen (N) and
Phosphorus (P).
HARDENABILITY
The ability of a steel to be hardened by a heat
treating process. Provided by the elements
Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo) and
Tungsten (W).
HEAT TREATING
A controlled heating and cooling process to
prescribed temperatures and the limits for the
purpose of changing the physical properties and
behavior of the metal.
IMPACT STRENGTH
The ability of a material to resist cracking due to
a sudden force.
MARTENSITE
A very hard and brittle steel with a distorted body
centered tetragon crystal structure.
PRECIPITATION
The separation of a substance that was
previously dissolved in another substance.
QUENCHING
Soaking of steel that has reached a high
temperature (above the recrysallization phase)
in a medium of air, liquid, oil or water to rapidly
cool it. Quenching steel creates martensite.
ROCKWELL TEST
A measurement of steel hardness based on the
depth of penetration of a small diamond cone
pressed into the steel under a constant load.
TEMPERING
Slow, steady heating of martensite steel to just
below recrystallization temperature followed
by a controlled consistent cooling phase for
the purpose of slightly softening the steel,
precipitating carbides, stress relieving.
TENSILE STRENGTH
Indicated by the force at which a material breaks
due to stretching. Provided by the elements
Chromium (Cr) and Manganese (Mn).
TOUGHNESS
The ability of a material to resist shock or impact.
Provided by the elements Chromium (Cr).
YIELD STRENGTH
The point at which steel becomes permanently
deformed; the point at which the linear
relationship of stress to strain changes
on a Stress/Strain curve.
STEEL TERMS
Steels are classified accordingly with
the elements used in production. These
classifications are, Carbon Steels, Alloy
Steels, High-Strength Low-Alloy Steels,
Stainless Steels, Tool Steels and Exotic
Steels (non steel).
+ CARBON STEELS contain varying amounts of
carbon and not more than 1.65% of manganese
and .60% of copper. There are 3 types of Carbon
Steels, Low (.3% or less), Medium (.4-.7%) and
High (.8% and up). High carbon is commonly
used for knives.
+ ALLOY STEELS have a specified composition,
containing certain percentages of vanadium,
molybdenum, or other elements, as well as larger
amounts of manganese, silicon, and copper than
do regular carbon steels.
+ HIGH-STRENGTH LOW-ALLOY STEELS known as
HSLA steels are relatively new. They cost less
than do regular Alloy Steels because they contain
only small amounts of the expensive alloying
elements. They have been specially processed,
however, to have much more strength than
Carbon Steels of the same weight.
+ STAINLESS STEELS contain a minimum of
12% Chromium. The Chromium provides a
much higher degree of rust resistance than
Carbon Steels. Various sources site differing
minimum amounts of Chromium required
to deem a steel as stainless (10-13%). It
is important to note, that the amount of
Chromium needed can be dependant upon the
other elements used in the steel.
+ TOOL STEELS contain Tungsten, Molybdenum
and other alloying elements that give them extra
strength, hardness and resistance to wear.
+ EXOTIC STEELS are generally accepted as steel,
but by definition are not steel. Examples of
Exotic Steels include H1, ZDP-189, Talonite and
Titanium.
There is an old proverb, “There was never
a good knife made of bad steel.” This
statement, just like steel itself, is completely
subjective as it relates to knives and knife
knuts. We hope this information provides
you with a foundation to make your own
determinations where steel is concerned.
TEMPER IS A FUNNY
THING; IT SPOILS CHILDREN,
RUINS ADULTS, AND
STRENGTHENS STEEL.