- Joined
- Mar 10, 2002
- Messages
- 19,806
can anybody tell me the differance of these two steels?
is it worth the extra to get the nk in the CPM3V steel?
is it worth the extra to get the nk in the CPM3V steel?
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CPM3V vrs A-2
- Thread starter idahoskunk
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2002
- Messages
- 886
Skunkster,
The CPM3V has about 2.25% more chromium than A-2 and should therefore be more stain resistant. It also has a lower carbon content, approximatly 2% more vanadium and about .2% more molybdenum.
I found a chart with this info in the August 2002 issue of blade.
My knowledge of metallurgy is quite limited, but I think that the vanadium and molybdenum are there to allow better hardening characteristics. I also seem to recall that some of the CPM steels in use were formulated in a search for what seems to be a quest for a stainless version of A-2.
I'm hoping that anyone with more info will share with the rest of us. Any day in which you learn something is never a waste.
The CPM3V has about 2.25% more chromium than A-2 and should therefore be more stain resistant. It also has a lower carbon content, approximatly 2% more vanadium and about .2% more molybdenum.
I found a chart with this info in the August 2002 issue of blade.
My knowledge of metallurgy is quite limited, but I think that the vanadium and molybdenum are there to allow better hardening characteristics. I also seem to recall that some of the CPM steels in use were formulated in a search for what seems to be a quest for a stainless version of A-2.
I'm hoping that anyone with more info will share with the rest of us. Any day in which you learn something is never a waste.
- Joined
- Nov 28, 1999
- Messages
- 14,985
CPM3V is an incredibly tough and wear resistant powder alloy. Even tougher than A2, and that says a lot! Stain resistance is probably not much better than A2 though, and some people say that 3V will pit a little easier than some steels. I have not had any problems though. All I know is, I flat ground a blade fairly thin out of 3V and heat treated it at a friend's house in his Paragon oven. We heat treated it according to Crucible's specs, but did no cryo, and ran out of time before we completed the third temper cycle(Crucible calls for 3 tempers of 2 hours each). I took that blade home to do a little finish grinding on it, and could barely remove the heat treat colors! I got frustrated with the blade and threw it hard, down onto the concrete floor in my shop. The blade took a chip out of the concrete, and barely put a grey mark on the tip. No bending or damage to the blade. I took the blade outside and started chopping on some cedar 2x4s, and twisted the blade as I yanked it out of the wood. No damage or deformation.
Out of curiosity, I mailed the blade down to Bailey Bradshaw, who has a Rockwell tester, and he said the blade Rockwelled at 62-63! I asked him to do the final temper, and now the blade is at 60. Needless to say, I am impressed with 3V.
Out of curiosity, I mailed the blade down to Bailey Bradshaw, who has a Rockwell tester, and he said the blade Rockwelled at 62-63! I asked him to do the final temper, and now the blade is at 60. Needless to say, I am impressed with 3V.