New "Plastic Steel"

Hard as steel doesn't mean 60 Rc. It's probably not hard enough for knives.
 
Until there are measured and published properties it is all speculation.
All we got is "it's as strong as steel". That description could mean many things. Graphite epoxy composites are "as strong as steel" if you look at specific properties. But they aren't the properties required for a cutting blade. Another example: Spider silk has a higher tensile strength than steel. So you could say that "spider silk is stronger than steel" and be absolutely correct. That doesn't mean that spider silk is suitable for a blade.

In my experience as a materials research engingeer, which I was for a few years, the best thing you ever hear about a new material is the first thing. The first property that gets touted is the major positive one. It's only later that you find out all the negatives and limitations.

Note:
IMO ceramics make lousy knife blades.
 
New age plactics are great, but for knives you need them to take and hold a fine edge, you know...thats where the problem lies, but I can see transparent knife blades becomming popular if they hit the market.... a cool idea!
 
Well, one of the scary aspects of modern technology is that anyone can take a clear piece of plastic and shape it into a shank, give it an edge and do all sorts of mischief. And yes, ceramics make lousy blades, but obsidian, jade, flint and fire-hardened wood all were used by ancient peoples in the Western Hemisphere very successfully and could lop a man's head off as well as the finest European blade.
 
I'm sure there was a time when no one thought a quality blade could be made of stainless steel.

I'm not saying that currently a quality blade can be made out of plastic, but in the future...it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top