About nitrogen steels

[Alarion]

I've read of a new type of steel (it's new to me, at least): nitrogen steels.
In these steels nitrogen atoms have the role of carbon atoms in traditional carbon steel.
But, in the case of nitrogen steels, the resulting steel is inoxidable. This without adding chrome or nickel.
Id like to know more about these steels, if they can easily be forged, if they can be heat treated in the usual carbon steel way or they require an oven like stainless steels...
Anybody can help me?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

From what I've read on them,they don't appear to be particularly suited to blade use. The HT would be in the range of high alloy stainless steels - with some extra requirements.One thing to be considered would be the high degree of retained Austenite.Cryo and tempering would have to take that into consideration.Mete or some other metallurgist will add more detailed info,I'm sure.
Stacy

 

[DGG]

H-1 is a great knife steel. Unless of course you think Spyderco makes junky knives.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=172

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=170



Around here where I live you see lots of scuba divers using H-1 knives because of their rust resistance. More and more salt water fisherman are also starting to use them.

http://www.divesports.com/mall/tusa_kni_fk230.asp

That's my dos pesos or zwei pfennig!

 

[Alarion]

Ok, but H1 is an high alloy steel... Uhm...
I read about low alloy nitrogen steels

 

[howiesatwork]

Here's some past discussions:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2231171
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372653

 

[Alarion]

Thanks, I tried to use search, but for some reasons it didn't function properly and returned justa blank page...