Rust Resistance of various steels

C

CAman

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Jan 5, 2000
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How do the following steels do in rust resistance? 1095, 52100, A2, 440C, ATS34, and AUS8. If you know the salt water test time, that would be even better. Thanks in advance. - CAman
 
Not familar with the "salt water test", but from experience, the following would be from the least to the most rust resistant:
1095, 52100, A-2, ATS-34, Aus-8, and 440C.
as an added note: ATS is not so much a "ruster", as it is a "stainer", from what I have witnessed, ATS tends to get tiny pits when exposed to corrosive elements.



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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"
http://www.caffreyknives.com
 
Where in this continuum would you put L5, O1 and BG42?
 
Thanks for the info Ed. Can any of them stand up to saltwater use other than 440C? (I'm not referring to diving, but to use aboard a sail boat where they will be splashed with saltwater on occasion). What about continuous rain? Thanks. - CAman
 
The real test for steels in corrosion resistance is acid. Not some light caustic like ocean breeze, but Aqua Regia, a horrendous mixture of Nitric and Hydrocloric. (use it often, myself)
The best for corrosion resistance is 440c. At 17% chromium, it takes a bit of electrolytic action even to get etching started.
ATS-34 fares pretty well. It IS classified as a true stainless steel, you know. Just tell your client to not leave corrosive elements on the steel long term and there will be no corrosion.
For the military "marine" grade knives I make, I use 440c, with no filework, no sub-handle milling, no voids for salts to accumulate and do their digestive damage.
And the kicker.304 stainless steel bolsters. 25% chrome, 8% nickel, it's unbelievable resistant. But you won't find many makers using it, it's hell to mill, grind and polish. But it beats 416 hands down, and it's not yellow (sulfer content)

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Jay
www.gilanet.com/JayFisher/index.htm
 
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