New coating technology makes super hard steel

Ah yet another government funded program that the citizens of this nation have to pay to use...

Looks interesting though..
 
The problem I see with this, just as with Titanium Nitride, is the word "coating". Ti nitride was never really suited to knives simply because as a coating of only a couple of thousandths, it was removed after any sharpening (which will eventually have to happen with any edged tool) I believe the only way to get to the ends we seek with a blade is to treat the entire mass of the blade, rather than coating it with something. Just my thoughts on the matter.....
 
Ed,

I have often wondered about layers of conventional material and these super hard coatings a la damascus.

The only issue besides cost that I have not been able to figure out is how to bind the layers.

If this Super Steel binds as well as they have indicated it might be possible to use it as the binding mechanism.
 
Ed,

I agree, if it is indeed a coating as we understand them. If it's a chemical or molecular bond, sort of seeping into the steel and/or changing the metallurgy, then they may have something. And ideally, it'd be nice to have something thicker, too.

Mike
 
Well, it makes some sense to me that it was government sponsored researchers that came up with something that may have the potential to blow the steel industry wide open.

I mean it isn't likely a metal manufacturing company that makes exotic steels is likely to come up with something that might allow the use of something like 420J2 and this coating that could outperform 10V in a walk.

Seems to have significant potential to affect the lubrication industries as well. Probably bearings and gears too. We know some bearings are already coated. So what happens if a race and the balls are coated, need less lubrication, and just flat don't wear out in the normal sense of that word? Pretty significant, I'd say.

Not quite sure what a self-sharpening knife is, but sure hope a good knife manufacturer is one of hte 15 companies studying the stuff.
 
Bugs,

Usually Self Sharpening Knives have a Chisel Grind with a thin very hard layer and a much softer steel for the remainder.

As you cut the softer steel wears away faster than the thin hard layer maintaining a sharp edge.
 
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