E_WOK; go to the front page of BFC:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ click on 'links', then go to knowledge base. You will be here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/features/faqs.html
There you will find a wonderful series of articles, including blade geometry and an excellent discussion of the various types of steels, by Joe Talmadge, one of our most erudite posters. He also provides several links for further perusal.
Another good site for reading about steel, especially tool steel, is the Crucible site:
http://www.crucibleservice.com/crumain2.htm
There was an extensive discussion of INFI several months ago, but I can't find it by searching. Perhaps another poster can aid us.
To answer your questions about INFI, it is, by elemental composition, a rather plain steel, somewhat similar to A2, if memory serves me . Without the N, it would be very mundane. INFI's performance has been tested, but results, while encouraging, are preliminary.
The process of the nitrogen addition is very hush hush. I suspect, however, that it probably wouldn't do much good to high alloy steels, such as ATS-34 or the CPM steels. I believe that the nitrogen is added to a low alloy steel to make the steel perform much better than it otherwise would. This is a cost saving process, making a very good performing steel out of an otherwise low alloy steel, by adding a very inexpensive element, N.
There you go, I hope that this helps.
There is a favor I have to ask of you. If you are not terribly attached to your logon name, would you mind changing it? I realize this is an unusual request, and you are free to deny it, but there is a prolific and extremely good poster whose logon is EWOK, and I see a lot of confusion occuring between the two of you with your present logon names. I certainly hope that my request does not offend you, and you are certainly free to have any logon you desire, but would consider it a favor if you would favorably view my request.
Welcome to the forum!! Walt
