Is CPM the only maker of 3V?

Just wondering because I bought a custom in "3v" but I never had it clarified whether it was cpm or not, now I know.
 
"CPM" is a process, utilized for several different alloys. Crucible is the company that uses it. Yup, they're the only ones that make CPM-3V.
 
Anything close to it in composition? With most steels other companies are making the exact same steel composition wise.
 
I think that A18 has a very close composition to 3V, but not sure how available or if the slight differences will cause big differences in performance. It doesn't take much to change the characteristics! I would guess the Tungsten in 3V adds to it's toughness and the larger amount of Vanadium would affect the edge, but they are the closest I can find. Also, A18 is not a PM metal.

http://zknives.com/knives/steels/steelgraph.php?nm=A18%2C+3v&sz=2&gm=0&hrn=1

Jeff
 
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Tungsten and vanadium have a profound affect on an alloy's properties, even in very small amounts. So does any sort of "powder metallurgy" process. Carbide size and distribution are really important to a cutlery steel.

I don't know of any other mill that's making a powder steel directly comparable/equivalent to CPM-3V. Why not, I can't say for certain. I suspect it has to do with patents... there's not a whole lot you can do to tweak 3V's formula enough to call it a new steel, without really messing with its properties.

Probably the most over-looked aspect of CPM-3V is that it is just barely a eutectoid steel with "only" .8% carbon... meaning it can get good and hard without becoming overly brittle. The moderate levels of carbon and alloying elements that make it both tough and wear-resistant are pretty specific. Adding more Cr, W, V etc and the necessary additional C to let them form carbides changes the steel completely, and you end up with stuff like S30V... better corrosion-resistance and equal or perhaps better wear-resistance, but nowhere near as much toughness.
 
Cant wait to beat this thing, Ive had it for 3 weeks now and have been put up from hernia surgery. One more week and Im good to go.
 
james terrio said:
Tungsten and vanadium have a profound affect on an alloy's properties, even in very small amounts. So does any sort of "powder metallurgy" process. Carbide size and distribution are really important to a cutlery steel.

I don't know of any other mill that's making a powder steel directly comparable/equivalent to CPM-3V. Why not, I can't say for certain. I suspect it has to do with patents... there's not a whole lot you can do to tweak 3V's formula enough to call it a new steel, without really messing with its properties.

Probably the most over-looked aspect of CPM-3V is that it is just barely a eutectoid steel with "only" .8% carbon... meaning it can get good and hard without becoming overly brittle. The moderate levels of carbon and alloying elements that make it both tough and wear-resistant are pretty specific. Adding more Cr, W, V etc and the necessary additional C to let them form carbides changes the steel completely, and you end up with stuff like S30V... better corrosion-resistance and equal or perhaps better wear-resistance, but nowhere near as much toughness.
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great info JT, thanks for taking the time to inform :thumbup:
 
Pyrovan is probably one of the closest. There's a lot of 5 & 8% Cr steels, but not so many PM, or under 1% C.
 
GarnetandBlack said:
great info JT, thanks for taking the time to inform :thumbup:
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Just passing along what I've been taught and figured out the hard way :)

hardheart said:
Pyrovan is probably one of the closest.
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Cool, I was not familiar with that. I found a datasheet for it. Looks pretty interesting!
I can't compare its toughness to CPM-3V just based on published info, since the sheet I have on 3V lists C-notch Charpy tests, and the Pyrovan is tested with a V-notch test. :(
 
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