Stainless Steel Color Coding

8

82Stang

Joined
Aug 19, 2007
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71
I was going through some of my supplies and found a couple pieces of bar stock with different colors of paint. One had a light blue strip on it, very similar to the blue in the "? icon". The other is very similar to this :barf: icon, maybe a bit darker of a shade.

Like a moron I sometimes am I did not write what material is which and can't remember what they are. Is there a general color coding system or is it by the manufacturer?

Are there any other ways on how I can determine what these steels are?
 
Never trust color coding since there are no standards.They may be manufacturer's or dealer codes.Spark test might give a rough idea, chemical analysis is the only sure way. You might try to HT a piece to give an idea if it's useble for a knife.
 
I once heat treated a batch of farriers knives for a freind who thought he remembered his steel type. He had been having good results with steel I heat treated and froze for him. To make a long story short I think I ended up treating 01 at ats34 time and soak. This was a total disaster and when I cut the envelopes open there wasn't much left.Now he marks everything the minute it hits his shop, so do I for that matter
Ken.
 
Use a paint marker and mark both ends of the bar. I can't tell you how many times I have cut off the marked end and picked up the remainder later and said, "Hmm,....Let's see.... Now this was???????"
I also stack carbon steel and stainless steel on two different shelves. You can't always tell the difference by looking at them.
Stacy
 
I like to use number stamps on the opposite end of the bar from where I take material off. Markers don't last, stamps do.
 
I agree that you can't trust colours.

Having said that, I have quite a bit - all from Crucible. Yours may well be different but mine has D2 and CPMS30V in red while O1 and 154CM are in Yellow. AirKool (A2) is blue.

I also have a bit of old ATS34 from Admiral that has purple.

Maybe these will help ring a bell.

Rob!
 
I'll just use this piece as a HT practice knife. If it turns out, then great! If not, then it's a good learning experience! :D
 
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