Aermet 100?

[aerius]

Seeing how some of the steels used in knives originated in Aerospace (154 CM) and tooling (D2, A2), I thought Aermet 100 might show some promise since it's been used in both fields. Here's a couple links to some info I found;

www.metalforming.com/MAGAZINE/1996/2/blades.htm
www.mmsonline.com/articles/0396scan2.html

The steel is very strong with really good toughness and can take a very fine edge. The HRC looks kinda low at 53-55, but I think it would be great for making "survival knives" and those "sharpened prybars" that I hear about on this forum. Let me know what you folks think about it, maybe it might become the next Talonite.

*note - no I don't work for the guys that make this stuff, but my bicycle is made from Aermet 100 tubing. The builder said it was a b&#ch to grind the tubes, but then again normal bike tubing has a HRC of around 40.

 

[projectX]

Hi Aerius, thanx for these enriching info.

From the reports on Aermet 100, it does seems like a creditable candidate for cutlery application. I would very much like to find out more about this steel.......hope you'll have more info to share. Meanwhile, i'll try to see what i can find out about this remarkable steel. Thanx again!

 

[tique]

This is all straight off the website, not sure if it would make that good of a blade steel for most uses due to low carbon content and the fact that it is used for a structural steel, not a tool-type steel.

AerMet® 100 Alloy

(U.S. Patent No. 5,087,415)

(UNS K92580)

Nominal analysis
0.23 C, 3.10 Cr, 11.10 Ni, 1.20 Mo, 13.40 Co, Bal. Fe

An alloy providing high hardness and strength combined with exceptional ductility and toughness. This alloy should be considered for aircraft and aerospace structural components requiring high strength, high fracture toughness and exceptional stress corrosion cracking resistance. AerMet 100 may be considered for use up to about 800°F (427°C). This alloy is not subject to the same restrictions as AF1410, thus may be considered a substitute.

Also off their website are a good number of tool steels that look like they could be promising.
Example:
Micro-Melt® Maxamet™ Alloy

In addition, the alloy can be produced with increased sulfur levels, up to 0.30%, for tools requiring improved machinability
1.55 C, 0.03 S, 4.75 Cr, 6.00 V, 13.00 W, 10.00 Co, Bal. Fe

A high alloy content super hard powder high speed steel with properties intermediate between conventional high speed steels and cemented carbide. Consider for use in applications where conventional tool steels do not hold up. The alloying additions provide excellent wear resistance due to a high carbide volume, and good toughness at high hardness levels.

As a tool steel with >1.5% carbon, 6% Vanadium, and 13% tungsten, I don't think you would have to worry about sharpening too often, but grinding might be a real bitch.

 

[projectX]

Tique, you got a point there regarding the low C content. The tool steel which you mentioned might just make hell of a blade. Thanx for the info.

 

[GrantP]

Aermet has a fantastic combination of toughness and tensile stength, however I believe like other ultra-high strength steels its edge holding would be poor. (Who makes knives from 4340? Aermet is a bit like 4340 on steroids).

There are additional compositions based on the original Aermet. Aermet 300 and Aermet-for-tooling.

These would make outstanding materials as the outer layers of a san mai arrangement.

Grant

 

[projectX]

GrantP, seems like you are interested and formally trained in material science/engineering. Glad to know someone who shares this interest!