- Joined
- Aug 1, 1999
- Messages
- 3,036
Well I could be wrong again. I seem to be on a streak with this thread. I think 154CM (predecessor of ATS-34) was developed back in the 50's for bearings and turbine blades. Clearly it is not in the same league as some newer steels, but it is still an excellent knife steel.
I will stand by my assertion, however, that BG-42 and CPM steels are not comparable. While I am not familiar with the VIM/VAR process, powder metallurgy was developed expressly to enable steel forumlations that would not be possible in normal melts, and at the same time produce a very fine grain structure. Most were developed for use in cutting dies and other high wear applications, and have literally taken D2 out of the market in those uses. Crucible Steel also makes D2, and since CPM's outlast D2 about 4-5 times their success has not been all good news for the producer.
Tom Mayo has used both BG-42 and some of the CPM's. Maybe he would care to comment.
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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The Tom & Jerry Show
I will stand by my assertion, however, that BG-42 and CPM steels are not comparable. While I am not familiar with the VIM/VAR process, powder metallurgy was developed expressly to enable steel forumlations that would not be possible in normal melts, and at the same time produce a very fine grain structure. Most were developed for use in cutting dies and other high wear applications, and have literally taken D2 out of the market in those uses. Crucible Steel also makes D2, and since CPM's outlast D2 about 4-5 times their success has not been all good news for the producer.
Tom Mayo has used both BG-42 and some of the CPM's. Maybe he would care to comment.
------------------
Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The Tom & Jerry Show